Rangers tighten grip on 2nd in Scottish Premier League

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) -- Rangers edged closer to securing second place in the Scottish Premier League with a 3-0 win at Hearts on Saturday, moving the financially stricken Glasgow giants 11 points clear of Motherwell.

Sone Aluko's free kick and a double from Andy Little at Tynecastle earned Rangers a fourth straight victory.

If Motherwell fails to beat newly crowned champion Celtic at home on Sunday, Rangers will clinch runners-up spot with a win in next weekend's Old Firm match against its fierce city rival.

Rangers' hopes of defending its title were virtually ended in February when it was docked 10 points for going into administration - a form of financial bankruptcy.

Dunfermline drew 4-4 with St. Mirren to close the gap to second-bottom Hibernian to six points.

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