Hearts three points clear after Rangers lose to Motherwell

Hearts manager Derek McInnes described the latest Scottish Premiership fixtures as a significant moment for his league-leading side and Celtic after Rangers stumbled in a 3-2 home loss to Motherwell at Ibrox on Sunday. Celtic had earlier secured a 3-1 victory over Falkirk at Celtic Park on Saturday, while Hearts claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win against Hibernian in the Edinburgh derby at Easter Road.

The results left Hearts three points clear of Celtic at the top of the table and four points ahead of Rangers with four games remaining. Motherwell's late winner came from Emmanuel Longelo, dealing a blow to Rangers' title hopes. Hearts' victory over 10-man Hibs, who later played with nine men after second red cards to Raphael Sallinger for handball and Felix Passlack, kept their momentum intact.

Speaking after the derby, McInnes highlighted the weekend's impact. "It's a big weekend for us and Celtic because Rangers lost," he said. "It helps us this weekend, but it's another round of fixtures next weekend, and it could easily be us on the wrong side if we don't knuckle down." He also corrected a broadcast claim suggesting Celtic trailed by just one point, noting Hearts went to bed...