Rangers open nine-point lead over rivals Celtic

Rangers extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League to nine points yesterday after Nacho Novo secured a 1-0 win over Hamilton while Celtic were held 1-1 by basement side Falkirk.

Walter Smith's side laboured for long periods at the New Douglas Park before Spanish star Novo finally broke the deadlock with 12 minutes left.

Rangers captain David Weir said: "We never played well enough in the first half but I thought in the second half we improved and I'm delighted for Nacho, getting the goal."

Smith made three changes to the side held to a 3-3 draw by Hamilton in the Scottish Cup last Sunday.

Kenny Miller and Lee McCulloch were both suspended and Kris Boyd was sidelined after undergoing groin surgery, with Novo, Kevin Thomson and Maurice Edu coming in.

Celtic fell behind when the Bairns took a 19th-minute lead after some poor defending allowed Carl Finnigan to rifle a shot past Artur Boruc.

The Hoops drew level through Georgios Samaras just before the break and despite piling on the pressure in the second half Falkirk held on for their first point at Celtic Park since 1987.

Celtic will feel aggrieved they weren't awarded a second-half penalty with two strong appeals against a Falkirk side that also held the Glasgow giants to a 3-3 draw earlier in the season.

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray made five changes to his team allowing South Korean Ki Sung-Yeung to make his debut.