Football News : SPL: Rangers cruise, Hoops back on track

By ESPN staff

Rangers' excellent start to the SPL season continued with a 4-0 cruise over Dunfermline at East End Park.

PA PhotosSteven Naismith celebrates scoring one of his two goals for Rangers

The Gers suffered a shock defeat to Falkirk in the Scottish League Cup, but normal service was resumed on Saturday as Dunfermline were brushed aside.

Carlos Bocanegra has proved an astute purchase and he headed Rangers in front on nine minutes. Bocanegra's fellow American Maurice Edu doubled the lead on 15 minutes with a crisp volley.

Steven Naismith sealed the win with a second-half brace, but he was arguably lucky to be on the field after being involved in a nasty incident in the first half that could have resulted in a red card.

Celtic answered Rangers' call, beating Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2-0 courtesy of goals from Joe Ledley and James Forrest to peg their Old Firm rivals' lead at five points.

Motherwell left it late before beating Aderdeen 1-0. Robert McHugh scoring the only goal on 84 minutes.

Paul McGowan scored twice, the second a penalty, as St Mirren beat Kilmarnock 3-0. The third came from the head of Nigel Hasselbaink.

The game of the day came at Easter Road, as Hibernian battled back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with Dundee United.

Garry O'Connor gave Hibs the lead but United turned the tide in a manic five-minute spell. Jon Daly levelled the scores, tapping in from close range after a John Rankin shot. Danny Swanson then gave the visitors the lead as coolly fired past Graham Stack and Daly stooped to make it 3-1 after 67 minutes.

But the home side showed outstanding character to bounce back through an own goal from Scott Robertson and a super Agogo finish to salvage a draw from a thrilling encounter.