Celtic slipped up at Kilmarnock while Rangers racked up their biggest top-flight home win since May 2012.
Here Press Association Sport takes a look at five things we learned from the weekend's Ladbrokes Premiership action:
1. Rangers keep believing as Steven Gerrard's message sinks in
FULL-TIME: Rangers 5-1 St Johnstone (Tavernier 9, Morelos 34, Arfield 52, Lafferty 74, Candeias 79 | Alston 77) A brilliant team performance from #RangersFC this afternoon at Ibrox. pic.twitter.com/X0hJWDomgv — Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) September 23, 2018
The Ibrox boss urged his men to have confidence in their ability during Thursday's Europa League clash with Villarreal and it paid off as they claimed an impressive 2-2 draw in Spain. And there was no sign of self-doubt in their next display as the Light Blues crushed St Johnstone 5-1 on Sunday. It was the biggest win of Gerrard's reign so far and moves Rangers up to second spot. Maintain this form and they might just make a fight of the title race this season.
2. Celtic's early-season struggles offer hope to rivals
Celtic's 2-1 defeat at Kilmarnock confirmed their worst start to a Ladbrokes Premiership campaign in 20 years. Former Hoops player Stuart Findlay headed in a last-gasp winner from a Chris Burke corner after the ex-Rangers winger's strike had cancelled out Leigh Griffiths' opener. The double treble winners have already lost to Killie and Hearts with a draw at St Mirren to sit six points behind the league-leading Jambos, with a promise of a much tighter title race this season.
3. The nail holding Neil McCann's jacket is growing shooglier by the week
Great result for Hibs. Looking grim for Neil McCann... — Tam McManus (@The_Tman10) September 22, 2018
The Dundee boss faces a make-or-break clash with Hamilton next week – that is if the Dark Blues chiefs have not decided to act before that. McCann's side have lost seven games in a row and sit rock bottom of the table without a single point. What will really worry the Dens Park board is the lack of fight the team showed as they suffered their latest setback against Hibs. Apart from two early efforts, they failed to trouble Neil Lennon's men at all and barely raised a glove to defend themselves as they went down 3-0. McCann's time may be up if he fails to spark a turnaround in fortunes away to Accies.
4. James Wilson could be the answer to Aberdeen's striking issue
🎥 The manager expresses his delight after James WIlson scored on his home debut and The Dons claimed all three points at Pittodrie this afternoon.#StandFree pic.twitter.com/AQ8Jg7oEby — Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) September 22, 2018
The former England Under-21 international had been limited to one brief sub appearance since signing on loan from Manchester United. But he recovered from a hamstring injury to start against Motherwell and duly netted the only goal of the game. With fellow forwards Stevie May and Sam Cosgrove yet to get off the mark in the Premiership, Wilson looks set to be tasked with replacing Adam Rooney's goals.
5. Hearts can't keep winning
The leaders' perfect record came to an end after a frustrating performance against Livingston. The hosts should still have beaten the in-form Premiership newcomers but Steven Naismith missed a first-half penalty. The good news for Craig Levein – who was back in the dugout for the first time since suffering a heart scare at the start of the month – is that his side remain five points clear at the top of the table.
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