GLASGOW (AFP) - Rampant Rangers thrashed Falkirk 7-2 at Ibrox on Saturday to make it three wins out of three in the Scottish Premier League and consolidate their position at the top of the table.

Gabon international Daniel Cousin was the standout for Walter Smith's side, scoring a double and creating their fourth goal for substitute Kris Boyd.

Steven Whittaker, making his debut after moving from Hibernian, French forward Jean-Claude Darcheville, with another brace, and Kirk Broadfoot completed the rout for Rangers.

But Falkirk can consider themselves unlucky to be on the receiving end of such a hammering and contributed massively to an intriguing match.

"Usually when a side scores seven goals they've been on top from start to finish but we had to work hard," said Rangers manager Walter Smith.

"We got off to a great start with an early goal but you have to pay credit to Falkirk.

"I admire the way they play. They came here to attack and although we went two goals up they scored a fine goal and by half-time it was a real contest.

"We improved in the second half but we still had to work very hard to win the match."

Falkirk boss John Hughes was disappointed with his side's defending but happy with the style of football played.

"The scoreline is disappointing but we played some great stuff and there are plenty of positives to take from the game," he said.

"As a team our defending was poor and we need more work to try and improve."

Spanish midfielder Arnau Riera had made it 2-1 just before half-time with a spectacular strike - the first goal Rangers have conceded this season - and substitute Graham Barrett briefly making it 3-2 in the 72nd minute.

Rangers were ahead after only a minute's play.

Captain Barry Ferguson's corner found Lee McCulloch, his shot crashed off the crossbar and the ball eventually fell to Cousin who rammed home from close range.

In the 34th minute the hosts doubled their advantage.

Ferguson slipped the ball wide to Whittaker and he rifled a powerful shot from 16-yards which beat Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul at his near post, via a deflection.

Falkirk, to their credit, continued to believe they could get back in the game and were rewarded in the 43rd minute.

Riera collected the ball 25 yards from goal and smashed a right foot shot into the top corner of the net beyond the despairing dive of goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

But in the 54th minute the home side restored their two goal advantage.

Ferguson squared from the right and although Spanish forward Nacho Novo lost his balance as he tried to connect on the penalty spot, the ball continued on to Cousin who side-footed the ball into the opposite corner of the net.

Falkirk refused to throw in the towel and pulled it back to 3-2 in the 72nd minute when Irish striker Barrett, who had replaced Michael Higdon four minutes earlier went through on goal and coolly chipped McGregor as he advanced off his line.

However, the three points were finally secured in the 74th minute when Cousin's cut back gave Boyd the easy task of blasting into the unguarded net from six yards.

Amazingly there were three further goals to come.

First Darcheville, who replaced Cousin in the 80th minute, reacted quickest when Boyd's header rebound off the bar and knocked it home from close range in the 87th minute.

The French forward then scored his second two minutes later when Ferguson pulled the ball back from the byline and, after Boyd and Krul had both failed to get to it first, Darcheville converted from eight yards.

And in injury time Darchville played in Broadfoot who chipped Krul from 10-yards.

In the other SPL games on Saturday St Mirren secured their first victory of the season, winning 2-1 at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Argentinian Franco Miranda put the Saints ahead in the 19th minute and Mark Corcoran doubled their advantage early in the second half. Caley pulled one back through Don Cowie.

Kilmarnock came from behind to win 2-1 at Motherwell. David Clarkson put Well ahead but Killie equalised through David Lilley and won all three points with an injury time goal from Ryan Dodds.

Gretna got their first point in the SPL with a 1-1 draw at Hearts. Andrew Driver put the Tynecastle side ahead but Gretna levelled through Craig Barr.

And Dundee United and Hibernian drew 0-0 at Tannadice.