Scottish Premier League

Scottish Premier League

Kenny Miller grabbed two goals as Rangers began their defence of the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League title with a 4-1 win over Falkirk at Ibrox.

Lee McCulloch opened the scoring with an impressive long-range effort before Falkirk hauled themselves level through Carl Finnigan.

The visitors did manage to cause a few problems. But two goals from Miller and a late strike from Steven Naismith ensured the Scottish champions began the new season the way they ended the last - at the top of the table.

Earlier in the day, Celtic sprang out of the traps with a commanding 3-1 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Two goals from Aiden McGeady and a Scott McDonald strike had the rampant Hoops in an unassailable position by the interval.

Dons midfielder Sone Aluko pulled a goal back after the break but there was never any danger of a comeback as the visitors got the boost they wanted ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash against Arsenal at Parkhead.

Shaun Maloney limping off near the end after taking a knock in a challenge by Richard Foster was the only real negative for Hoops manager Tony Mowbray.

However, his side's win must be taken in the context of an abject first-half display by Aberdeen.

Kevin Kyle scored an impressive double as Kilmarnock opened their campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Hamilton

The former Scotland striker lashed home a first-half volley from Garry Hay's free kick and then fired a spectacular strike high into the net six minutes after the break.

Jamie Hamill completed the scoring by netting as the game entered its final quarter, and Jim Jefferies' side saw out the match by maintaining the SPL's only clean sheet of the day.

Jim Gannon's youthful Motherwell side twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw in a thrilling second half to deny St Johnstone victory on their return to the top-flight.

Murray Davidson's deflected effort gave the Irn-Bru First Division champions a deserved half-time lead but Shaun Hutchinson headed his first senior goal to level.

Graham Gartland soon scrambled Saints back into the lead but Ross Forbes earned Gannon a point on his SPL debut with a wonderful long-range strike.

in the final game of the day, Hibernian needed a dramatic late winner from substitute Abdessalam Benjelloun to clinch a 2-1 victory over 10-man St Mirren.

The Buddies had to play almost all of the match a man down after midfielder Steven Thomson was red-carded in the 15th minute for a wild lunge on former Falkirk team-mate Patrick Cregg.

Despite their disadvantage, the visitors took the lead in the 38th minute when Stephen McGinn capitalised on defensive disarray in the home ranks.

However, the Easter Road men restored parity within 60 seconds as youngster David Wotherspoon side-footed home to set the scene for Benjelloun's winning strike eight minutes from time.

Dundee United take on Hearts at Tannadice on Monday night.