Socceroo Strain assists St Mirren in victory

Socceroo Ryan Strain propelled St Mirren into the top six of the Scottish Premiership with a crucial assist in a 1-0 win over Motherwell.

As Rangers tried to keep the pressure on Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic on Saturday with a 2-0 win against St Johnstone, Strain made a crucial contribution in Paisley, setting up the winning goal in the 16th minute.

After the ball was passed by Alex Greive, England’s Strain, who made his Australian debut against New Zealand in September, came to the free line and crossed Curtis Main from close range to finish.

Rangers reduced the gap to Celtic to six points as goals from James Tavernier and Glen Kamara sealed their win at Ibrox.

Tavernier opened the scoring after a handball from James Brown in the 15th minute before the visitors sent off Nicky Clark in the 36th minute after a poor tackle on Ryan Jack. Kamara then struck just before the hour.

Meanwhile, Jim Goodwin has been sacked as Aberdeen manager after they fell to another humiliating low after their Scottish Cup elimination at Darvel was followed by a 6-0 win over Hibernian at Easter Road.

Josh Campbell scored a hat-trick when the visitors spectacularly failed to provide the “immediate response” demanded by the Dons board after Monday’s defeat by the West of Scotland League’s Minnows.

Just fifteen minutes into the game it was announced that Aberdeen had parted ways with Goodwin.

Celtic will look to restore their nine-point lead at the top when they visit Dundee United on Sunday.