Newz Forum: SOCCER: Bank of Scotland Scottish Premier results 21/08/04

Rangers took over at the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League after thrashing Hibernian 4-1 at Ibrox. With arch rivals Celtic not in action until Sunday, Rangers took full advantage as they cruised into an early 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Shota Arveladze and Dado Prso.

However a decent spell of pressure from Hibs was rewarded when Gary Caldwell pull a goal back in the 35th minute. But second half strikes from Jean-Alain Boumson - his first for the club - and Peter Lovenkrands made the game safe for the Gers.

They top the table on goal difference from Hearts who romped to a comfortable 3-0 win over Kilmarnock at Tynecastle as summer signing Ramon Pereira grabbed his first goal for the club. Both sides had chances to take the lead in the first-half but only Graham Weir managed to find the back of the net with his 18th-minute effort. Pereira opened his goalscoring account 12 minutes after the break before skipper Steven Pressley killed the game off with a penalty with 19 minutes remaining.

Elsewhere former Dunfermline manager Jimmy Calderwood's return to East End Park for the first time with new side Aberdeen ended in triumph as his side battled to a narrow 1-0 win over the Pars. The Aberdeen boss had left Fife at the end of last season, taking coach Jimmy Nicholl with him to Pittodrie, and both were given a rough reception by angry Pars fans on their return. Noel Whelan's first goal for Aberdeen since signing in pre-season gave the Dons a first half lead and although from then until the final whistle it was mostly all Dunfermline, the Pars couldn't get past the resolute visiting defence.

Colin McMenamin salvaged a point for Livingston with a late equaliser at the City Stadium in a 1-1 draw against Dundee United. The young striker pounced from close range with six minutes left to poke the ball into an empty net after United goalkeeper Tony Bullock had saved well from Derek Lilley. The visitors had taken the lead in the 61st minute when Billy Dodds scored from the spot after Jason Scotland had been brought down.

In the day's final match Scott McDonald celebrated his 21st birthday in fine style with a super double as Motherwell shot down Dundee 2-1. McDonald, who joined the Fir Park club in January, appears to have formed a good partnership with David Clarkson and had the Scotland Under-21 striker to thank for laying on both goals. Clarkson should have been on the scoresheet himself, but he blasted his eighth-minute penalty wide after being fouled by Bobby Mann inside the penalty area. Dundee hit back through Steve Lovell, but, although his 78th-minute effort set up a tense final chapter, Motherwell clung on to claim a well-deserved three points.

Sporting Life