GLASGOW, Aug 6 (SW) - After a gut-wrenching dumpout from the Champions League in midweek, Celtic recovered and followed their fine second leg form against Artmedia Bratislava by defeating Dundee United 2-0 at Celtic Park on Saturday.

Celtic - Dundee United 2-0

With Shunsuke Nakamura impressing as playmaker in his Celtic debut, it was big Welsh striker John Hartson who took up his normal role, scoring his fourth goal in two league games to start the season in the 36th minute.

Hartson used his big frame to bully around United's David McCracken before sliding the ball past goalkeeper Derek Stillie for 1-0. Hartson could have added to his total twice after that, but twice he had headers smash against the bar.

Celtic put the game away after Stevie Crawford missed an chance to level for United, when Craig Beattie volleyed home a ball from Shaun Maloney a minute from time to secure the full points.

Inverness C.T. - Rangers 0-1

The reigning champions were made to work for their victory on Saturday against Caley Thistle, but a solitary goal from captain Barry Ferguson was all Gers would need to secure their second win of the year.

Rangers had a chance in the first half to go in front through José Pierre-Fanfan, but the Frenchman had his shot headed off the line by Caley Thistle player-manager Craig Brewster.

Rangers went ahead about 22 minutes from the end when skipper Ferguson met a ball from Dado Prso at the near post and poked it past goalkeeper Mark Brown for a 1-0 lead.

Richie Hart had a chance to level for the home side in stoppage time, but Rangers goalkeeper Ronald Wattereus produced a stellar save to kepe the visitors in front.

Livingston - Falkirk 0-2

It has been an unusual start to the SPL campaign for promoted Falkirk. After losing their opener at home, they managed to get their first top flight win away from home, notching a win over Livingston at Almondvale.

Russell Latapy put Falkirk in front on 28 minutes when he cracked a low left-footed shot from 20 yards past goalkeeper Roddy McKenzie for a deserved lead.

Darryl Duffy put the game out of reach for Livi in the 72nd minute when his shot was touched by McKenzie and went off of Greg Strong before going into the net.

Aberdeen - Kilmarnock 1-2

Aberdeen suffered an unwanted home defeat to Kilmarnock at Pittodrie on Saturday, Steven Naismith's 72nd-minute goal giving the visitors the points.

Allan Johnston put Killie in front on 26 minutes when he pounced on a poor backpass by Russell Anderson, went goalwards and fired past Ryan Esson in the Dons goal for 1-0.

Aberdeen did make things level again eight minutes later when Anderson made up for his mistake by poking in the ball from spot on past Alan Combe in the Killie goal.

But Naismith would be the hero for the visitors when Johnston's brilliant through-ball found him in space, allowing him to run about 30 yards before beating Esson for the winner.

Motherwell - Dunfermline 1-0

After last weekend's thrilling eight-goal draw with Celtic, Motherwell kept up their fine start to the year with a narrow home victory over ten-man Dunfermline.

The visitors were down to ten men on 23 minutes when Craig Wilson was sent off for gross misconduct after head-butting Motherwell's Alan McCormack, likely to bring an extended suspension from the Scottish FA.

David Clarkson came the closest to a goal in the first half, but his shot after a a Jim Hamilton corner hit the bar.

Hamilton, though, was the hero as he got the winner in the last minute when he pounced on a rebound after Dunfermline goalkeeper Bryn Halliwell parried a volley by McCormack.

Hearts - Hibernian 4-0, Sunday

In the first Edinburgh derby of the new season, Hearts came out firing on all cylinders with a comprehensive victory over city rivals Hibernian at Tynecastle.

The home side went ahead on 13 minutes when Czech international Rudi Skacel put into the Hibs net after a shot by countryman Roman Bednar was saved by goalkeeper Zbigniew Malkowski.

Just short of the hour mark, Hearts would double their lead through a 58th-minute penalty by Paul Hartley. Hibs' Stephen Glass was whistled for a handball in the area by referee Stuart Dougal and Hartley easily put past Malkowski for 2-0.

Stephen Simmons added a third for Hearts on 71 minutes when Guillaume Beuzelin knocked the ball into his path before he beat a helpless Malkowski. Saulius Mikoliunas completed the victory with a goal in the 83rd minute.