Five things we learned from the Scottish Premiership

Shay Logan is dejected after Aberdeen's 5-1 defeat to St Johnstone. Picture: SNS

Dundee United are a ‘soft touch’

Caretaker boss Dave Bowman did not mince his words after a 3-0 defeat by Partick Thistle sent United bottom of the table. Bowman labelled the players a “very weak group” and revealed other clubs felt they were a “soft touch” in the final half hour of games.

Are Aberdeen vulnerable at set-pieces?

Manager Derek McInnes warned his team to defend their box better after losing four of the five goals they shipped against St Johnstone from set-pieces.

However, one was a wonder strike from Brian Easton and another a deflected effort from Liam Craig. The fact the Dons had only conceded five goals in their previous nine games suggests Saturday’s defensive show was a one-off.

The race for the top six could be the tightest yet

With one match remaining in the first round of games, only four points separate third-placed Hearts and eighth-placed Inverness, the latter very much the in-form team of the pair. The likes of Kilmarnock and possibly Motherwell, if rejuvenated by a new boss, could also join a widespread race.

Dundee feel Greg Stewart is a marked man

After their star man hobbled off with an ankle injury against Motherwell, Dens boss Paul Hartley called for greater protection for the talented midfielder/striker.

Louis Moult’s offending tackle was the result of an over-zealous forward tracking back but Hartley claimed Stewart had been targeted for some harsh treatment week in, week out.

Hamilton’s pitch is ‘like playing on ice’

Celtic manager Ronny Deila claimed the New Douglas Park artificial surface - which was relaid in the summer - was “slippy” and “strange” and highlighted a late slip in the Hamilton box by Kris Commons as evidence that it was “like playing on ice”.

Celtic won 2-1 to inflict Hamilton’s first home defeat since February.