Socceroo Boyle on target as Hibs seal third in Scotland

Socceroos winger Martin Boyle should enter Tony Popovic's next camp with a pep in his step after netting for the 19th time in all competitions in Scotland this season.

With crucial World Cup qualifiers against Japan in Perth on June 5 and away to Saudi Arabia six days later potentially sealing their place at the 2026 tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico, the 32-year-old opened the scoring in Hibernian's 2-2 draw at St Mirren.

Fellow Australians Lewis Miller and Nectar Triantis also started on Wednesday night for Hibs, who secured third place in the Scottish Premiership despite throwing away a two-goal lead.

Goals from Boyle and Mykola Kukharevych in the opening 10 minutes looked to have handed David Gray's side complete control.

Saints, though, got one back through Richard Taylor just before halftime and then found an equaliser midway through the second half from Conor McMenamin.

But with Aberdeen losing 5-1 at home to Celtic, the draw was enough to confirm third for Hibs with a game to spare and with it the possibility of European group-stage football next season should Brendan Rodgers' side go on to win the Scottish Cup.

The draw also kept alive St Mirren's chance of playing in Europe next term as they moved within a point of fifth-placed Dundee United.

Elsewhere, champions Celtic had five different scorers as they thumped 10-man Aberdeen 5-1 at Pittodrie.

Cyriel Dessers hit a brace as second-placed Rangers came from behind to beat Dundee United 3-1 at Ibrox.

St Johnstone were relegated after a 16-year stay in the top flight thanks to Ross County scoring a penalty in the sixth minute of added time to rescue a 1-1 draw away to Dundee.

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 at Hearts at Tynecastle.

With AAP.