St Johnstonewere relegated from theScottish PremiershipafterRoss Countyscored a penalty in the sixth minute of stoppage time to rescue a 1-1 draw away toDundee.
County’s Ronan Hale smashed home from 12 yards following a handball decision against Dundee’s Antonio Portales to condemn Simo Valakari’s side to the drop after they lost 2-1 away atHearts.
A first-half own goal by Barry Douglas and an Alan Forrest strike at Tynecastle leftSt Johnstoneneeding the result at Dens Park to go their way, knowing that should they lose only defeat for County would leave them still fighting on the final day.
Graham Carey gave them hope of putting their fate back into their own hands but by then winger Scott Tiffoney’s goal forDundeehad looked like providing them with a crucial lifeline.
That was until Ryan Astley headed the ball against the arm of his teammate Portales at the death and Hale stepped up to end St Johnstone’s 16-year stay in the top flight.
Elsewhere championsCeltichad five different scorers as they thumped 10-manAberdeen5-1 at Pittodrie with Maik Nawrocki, Yang Hyun-jun, Luke McCowan, Johnny Kenny and Adam Idah all netting for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Aberdeen briefly levelled in the first half through Kevin Nisbet and later had Tottenham loanee Alfie Dorrington sent off for two yellow cards, though Jimmy Thelin’s side’s place in Europe next season is already assured regardless of the result in the Scottish Cup final against Celtic on 24 May.
Cyriel Dessers hit two goals asRangerscame from behind to beatDundee United3-1 at Ibrox, with Nicolas Raskin also scoring for Barry Ferguson’s team after Sam Cleall-Harding had earlier given United a first-half lead.
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Hibernianare guaranteed a third-place finish after they drew 2-2 away toSt Mirren. The home side hit back to earn a point after being two goals down within 10 minutes, whileMotherwellscored three times in the final 13 minutes to beat 10-manKilmarnock3-0 at Fir Park.