Hearts march on.

By beating Dundee United, their nearest challengers, Heart of Midlothian continue to drive themselves relentlessly towards their first Scottish League championship in 26 years.

Their 3-0 victory over United at Tannadice, where the home team had been undefeated since October 1984, took them five points clear at the top of the premier division and they need only four points from their last three matches to make certain of the title.

This was another unflinching performance, marking the 29th successive game by Hearts without defeat and revealing the keys to their success: their ability to absorb the heaviest of pressure and to strike venomously when chances arrive.

United fought fiercely, but there was little quality in their finishing, even though Smith made several fine saves.

After 24 minutes Robertson, the young forward who has caught the fancy of leading London clubs, gave them a lesson in the art of scoring with one of the most splendidly struck drives of the season.

The outstanding Hearts player, the ever-willing Clark, scored the second and although United continued to attack the result was put beyond doubt when the alert Robertson notched a third goal.

Although Hearts appear untouchable, a fine 1-0 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie by Celtic had their manager, David Hay, stubbornly refusing to concede that his team were out of contention.

'It looks like Hearts,' he said, 'but you never know in football and we will battle on to the end.

'

The Celtic goal was scored by Johnston, who returned to consideration for a World Cup place by beating two defenders and finding the net with an accurate shot.

The euphoria which has enveloped Ibrox since the announcement that Graeme Souness was to be the new player-manager was dispelled at Clydebank, where the home team found their old form to beat Rangers 2-1.

It was a deplorable performance by Rangers, who were put in the shade by a well-organized Clydebank team, whose goals were scored by Conroy and Bain.

Taken from timesonline.co.uk