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Scottish Premiership roundup: Rangers start campaign with an important win

Scottish Premiership roundup: Rangers start campaign with an important win
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St Mirren beat Livingston while promoted Dundee United were held at home by St Johnstone.

Ryan Kent was on target as Rangers opened the new Scottish Premiership campaign with a 1-0 win at Aberdeen.

After 142 days in lockdown, the Ibrox side got off to just the start they were looking for on their return to competitive action for the first time since March's Europa League defeat by Bayer Leverkusen.

The visitors dominated the opening half and got their reward 21 minutes in as Kent burst clear to coolly roll in the only goal.

Aberdeen v Rangers – Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership – Pittodrie Stadium
Gerrard's side got off to a winning start (Andrew Milligan/PA)

The second period was more of a grind but manager Steven Gerrard will just be relieved to see his side avoid a repeat of their opening-day slip-up in the Granite City from two years ago as they set their sights on halting Celtic's push for 10 in a row.

Derek McInnes' Dons finished the game with 10 men after Andy Considine saw red four minutes from time for his reckless lunge on Scott Arfield.

Martin Boyle scored twice as Hibernian held out for a 2-1 win over Kilmarnock.

Boyle rounded new Killie keeper Jake Eastwood in only the fifth minute and doubled the lead after being set up by Scott Allan, before Chris Burke pulled one back with a spectacular long-range strike just before half-time.

St Johnstone snatched an unlikely point at Dundee United through Liam Craig.

Nicky Clark fired United ahead from the penalty spot and St Johnstone were dealt a further blow when Michael O'Halloran was shown a second yellow card before the interval.

But the 10 men levelled through a thunderous volley from Craig to secure a 1-1 draw.

A debut goal for St Mirren's Richard Tait, with a diving header, secured a 1-0 win over Livingston.

The hosts almost grabbed a second three minutes from time but Junior Morias' shot struck a post.

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Rangers manager Steven Gerrard reacts on March 12, 2020
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic109102932628
2Aberdeen109102091128
3RangersRangers10613158719
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd114431513216
5Motherwell105141313016
6Dundee113351720-312
7St Mirren123361521-612
8Kilmarnock113351523-812
9Ross County122641018-812
10St Johnstone123181525-1010
11Hearts122371419-59
12Hibernian111551016-68


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