Walter Smith wants Rangers to maintain their impetus as they finished the weekend top of the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League.

Goals from Kris Boyd, Kenny Miller and Steven Whittaker guided the Gers to a 3-0 win over Kilmarnock and to the top of the table, ahead of Celtic.

The Hoops appeared in pole position to leapfrog their Old Firm rivals but a last-minute Darren Dods goal saw them go down to a 2-1 defeat at Dundee United yesterday, keeping Rangers one point clear with a game in hand.

Smith said: "We have built up a bit of momentum now and hopefully we can keep that going."

Rangers play Stuttgart in the Champions League this week in a must-win game and Smith admits his team may have eased down with this in mind.

Smith said: "I think that's a natural thing, especially after scoring three goals and creating a number of opportunities in the first half."

Kilmarnock boss Jim Jefferies criticised his side's defending with the defeat keeping them just one point off relegation.

He said: "We started the game really well but you have to defend well and, after 10 minutes, we
went to pieces and the defence was shocking."

Csaba Laszlo issued a new appeal to the Hearts hierarchy for help following the 2-1 home loss to St Johnstone.

The Hungarian, who has become increasingly frustrated this season, held a 10-minute discussion with owner Vladimir Romanov over the phone immediately after the defeat.

Laszlo said: "I would like to talk definitely with the board as soon as possible, about what is important. I also have my opinion and tried to sit together with the board this week.

"I need to talk to the board for the best way to stabilise us."

Hibernian are third, ahead of Dundee United on goal difference, after a 1-1 draw at St Mirren.
Derek Riordan put Hibs ahead after 29 minutes with a quality long-range strike before Paisley defender headed an equaliser just before the break.

St Mirren boss Gus MacPherson was in no doubt as to what the outcome should have been.

He said: "I see it as two points dropped, quite clearly.

"It wasn't just half chances we had, it was good, good chances and we should have won the game."
Hibernian continue their decade-long search for a win in Paisley but have now gone eight games without a defeat.

Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee described Gary McDonald's red card as "ludicrous" after the midfielder was sent off for celebrating his equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Motherwell.

Crawford Allan issued the punishment because McDonald lifted the front of his shirt over his head after cancelling out Lukas Jutkiewicz's 13th-minute opener.

Falkirk manager Eddie May thanked his board for sticking by him after the Bairns finally picked up their first league win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Hamilton.

A stunning second-half free-kick from Chris Mitchell and substitute Lee Bullen's late strike gave Falkirk all three points and closed the gap at the bottom to one point.

May said: "It was more of a gorilla off my back rather than a monkey with the first win.

"One thing I know is that the board of directors back me. The board have been fantastic since I have been here.

Crestfallen Hamilton manager Billy Reid, whose side are now just a point ahead of basement side Falkirk, said: "I thought we won all the battles in the middle of the park but you don't always get what you deserve."