Striker Kenny Miller grabbed two goals as Rangers began the defence of their Clydesdale Bank Premier League title with a 4-1 win over Falkirk at Ibrox.
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.
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 Celtic manager Tony Mowbray.
Hibernian substitute Abdessalam Benjelloun netted a dramatic late winner to earn a 2-1 victory over 10-man St Mirren at Easter Road.
St Mirren were a man down from the 17th minute after midfielder Steven Thomson was red-carded 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 youngster David Wotherspoon sidefooted home - to set the scene for Benjelloun's winning strike eight minutes from time.
Jim Gannon's youthful Motherwell side twice came from behind to draw 2-2 against promoted St Johnstone.
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 Motherwell a point with a wonderful long-range strike.
Kevin Kyle scored an impressive double as Kilmarnock beat Hamilton 3-0 at Rugby Park.
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.
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