Dundee keep Caniggia at bay

The Christmas shopping has barely begun and already Rangers are 12 points behind Scottish Premier League leaders Celtic after a 0-0 draw away at Dundee last night.

Not even Claudio Caniggia's return to Dens Park could inspire Dick Advocaat's side and the Argentinian striker was shackled by Dundee's new Chinaman Fan Zhiyi.

Instead it was Dundee's Argentinian, attacker Fabian Cabellero, who caught the eye in the first half and was denied a penalty after a suspicious Michael Ball tackle. He then forced Stefan Klos to touch a shot on to the post.

Rangers controlled the second half, but Claudio Reyna missed a great chance before Shota Areveladze's header was well saved by Dundee goalkeeper Jamie Langfield.

Livingston's remarkable first season in the top flight shows no signs of fading. An impressive 3-1 win over Motherwell at Almondvale Stadium yesterday maintained their push for a Uefa Cup place.

Two goals in quick succession, halfway through the first half, provided the platform for victory. Davide Xausa headed in Barry Wilson's cross and then Wilson rounded goalkeeper Mark Brown and saw his strike knocked in for an own goal by the unfortunate defender, Steven Hammell.

Xausa, who scored twice last week at Hibernian, matched his performance with a second before half-time. A 78th minute reply from Motherwell's James McFadden was a mere consolation.

Aberdeen are also in pursuit of a European place and Robbie Winters' 23rd-minute lob over St Johnstone keeper Alan Miller equalled the run of eight successive home wins set during Sir Alex Ferguson's time at Pittordrie in 1984.

Kilmarnock leapfrogged Dundee United, who began the day in fifth, with a 2-0 win at Rugby Park, Alan Mahood volley and Garry Hay's left foot strike securing the points inside an hour. Hearts' teenager Stephen Simmons showed great composure to convert a last-minute penalty for a 1-1 draw at home to Dunfermline, who had gone ahead through Barry Nicholson.