Rangers keep the heat on Hoops

Rangers ensured the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title race will go right to the wire with a 3-0 victory over St Mirren - but the balance of power remains with Celtic.

A Kris Boyd strike and a double from Jean-Claude Darcheville means the Old Firm rivals head into the final night of the season level on points but with the defending champions four goals better off.

The destination of the silverware now rests on Rangers' trip to Aberdeen and Celtic's clash with Dundee United at Tannadice on Thursday evening.

The Ibrox side were ahead as early as the fourth minute. Steven Davis' cross found Kirk Broadfoot unmarked in the box and he flicked a teasing ball across the face of goal. Nacho Novo failed to connect but Boyd was on hand to rifle home from close range.

Rangers failed to capitalise on the momentum of the early opening goal and Saints were handed an opportunity to restore parity when Christian Dailly was deemed to have fouled Billy Mehmet 30 yards out.

Franco Miranda's free-kick was met by Will Haining but his powerful header was held by goalkeeper Neil Alexander. Stephen McGinn then nodded narrowly over for the home side.

Following a flurry of activity from Saints, Rangers pushed forward and had the net bulging again with 23 minutes on the clock.

Stephen O'Donnell accidentally stood on the ball and gifted possession to Darcheville 20 yards out, and he had plenty of time to tee up a low, right-footed shot that left goalkeeper Mark Howard with little chance.

The match then erupted when Kevin Thomson appeared to kick the ball off the prostrate Hugh Murray, sparking a melee involving both sets of players, which saw those two, Mehmet and Steven Whittaker go into referee Craig Thomson's book.

The visitors continued to press on after the break and their hard work paid off when St Mirren keeper Howard was left fishing the ball out of the net again with 69 minutes gone. This time, Boyd's lay-off found Barry Ferguson and the skipper played in Darcheville, who slotted under the body of Howard from 12 yards.