Rangers 2 Kilmarnock 1
Rangers started their title defence with a narrow win - although a well set out Kilmarnock team made it tough for them.  Kenny Miller - playing alongside new signing James Beattie - put Rangers in front after 16 minutes following Kirk Broadfoot's blocked effort.  Stevie Naismith doubled the lead from Miller's pass early in the second half, however Killie pulled one back immediately when Jamie Hamill scored from the spot after Sasa Papac fouled James Dayton.

Aberdeen 4 Hamilton 0
New Dons skipper Paul Hartley introduced himself to Aberdeen's fans with an opening-day hat-trick - all from the penalty spot.  Simon Mensing's foul on Sone Aluko produced the first, then Jack Ross fouled Aluko for the second award just before the break.  Martin Canning brought down Chris Maguire for the third penalty after Zander Diamond fired home Aberdeen's third from Hartley's cross.

Hearts 1 St Johnstone 1
Saints ended with ten men but still left Tynecastle with a point.  They'd already lost Danny Grainger through injury in the first-half before Calum Elliot headed in Lee Wallace's cross just before the break.  But just a minute later Saints' sub Cleveland Taylor's cross was headed over Marian Kello by new signing Sam Parkin.  Steven Anderson was shown a straight red for a wild challenge on Suso Santana with 17 minutes remaining but Derek McInnes' side saw out the match safely.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0 Celtic 1
Celtic got off to a winning start in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League thanks to Paddy McCourt's solo goal.  The home side had the better of the early stages and last season's top scorer Adam Rooney fired just over, but Shaun Maloney also hit the woodwork for Neil Lennon's side.  Celtic went ahead early in the second-half when McCourt's solo run across the edge of the area ended with a low drive that wrong-footed Ryan Esson.  However McCourt was injured in the celebrations that followed the goal when he collided with Maloney and had to be substituted.  In the end Celtic ran out comfortable winners as the home side ran out of steam, whilst Maloney and sub James Forrest could have added more goals.

St Mirren 1 Dundee Utd 1
Jon Daly's last-minute leveller earned United a point as they prepare for the Europa League clash with AEK Athens.  Daly took advantage of hesitation by Saints' loan defender Jure Travner to level after Sean Lynch had fired the home side in front after 73 minutes.  United have now gone ten games unbeaten against Saints.

Motherwell 2 Hibernian 3 (Sunday)
Hibs bounced back from a feeble first-half to continue their hold over Motherwell.  'Well have won only one of the last seven meetings of the clubs but John Sutton put them ahead after 13 minutes when he flicked in Tom Hateley's cross.  Although Hibs had been second-best for the first-half they went in level when Anthony Stokes bundled the ball home after Sol Bamba headed down Derek Riordan's free-kick.  Chris Humphrey hit the post for the home side but Hibs went ahead when Paul Hanlon forced the ball home - though 'Well boss Craig Brown was unhappy at the goal being allowed to stand after Sol Bamba put home 'keeper Darren Randolph under pressure.  Hibs went 3-1 ahead when Liam Miller converted Riordan's pass, though Jamie Murphy reduced the margin from the penalty spot after Colin Nish pulled back loan striker Nick Blackman.

By cbfootball.co.uk   Last updated: 16 August 2010