Miller ensures Rangers start where they finished

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

Lee McCulloch opened the scoring with an impressive long-range effort after 14 minutes, but Falkirk hauled themselves level through Carl Finnigan 10 minutes later. The visitors managed to cause Rangers problems but two goals from Miller, after 34 and 72 minutes, and an 83rd-minute strike from Steven Naismith ensured the Scottish champions started the new season the way they ended the last – at the top of the table.

Celtic launched their attempt to regain the championship from Rangers 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. The Dons midfielder Sone Aluko pulled one back after the break but there was never any danger of a comeback as the visitors got the boost they wanted ahead of tomorrow's Champions League tie against Arsenal at Parkhead.

The Hibernian substitute Abdessalam Benjelloun netted a dramatic late winner to earn a 2-1 victory over 10-man St Mirren at Easter Road. The Saints were a man down from the 17th minute after their midfielder Steven Thomson was sent off for a wild lunge on his 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, Hibernian levelled within 60 seconds as David Wotherspoon sidefooted home.

Jim Gannon's youthful Motherwell twice came from behind to draw 2-2 against newly promoted St Johnstone and Kevin Kyle scored an impressive double as Kilmarnock beat Hamilton 3-0 at Rugby Park.