Scotland round-up: Celtic resume winning habit

Henrik Larsson scored twice to give champions Celtic FC the perfect start in the defence of their Scottish Premier League title.

Nervy moments
A hard-fought 2-1 win against Dunfermline Athletic FC gave the majority of fans in the 57,415 crowd a cause to celebrate, but not before a few nervy moments. Prior to kick-off captain Paul Lambert and chairman Brian Quinn unfurled the 2001/02 league flag and the team then served notice that they want to repeat the feat.

Flicked header
Former Sweden international Larsson - who scored 35 goals last season - broke the deadlock in the 41st minute with a flicked header from six metres and then chipped Marco Ruitenbeek in the 65th minute for a classy second. However, substitute Mark Dempsey lobbed Robert Douglas with his first touch after coming on in the 74th minute. Douglas then made a fine save from a Barry Nicholson drive and Martin O'Neill's side were relieved to hear the final whistle.

Rangers held
Last season's runners-up Rangers FC were held to a 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock FC at Rugby Park to give Celtic fans a further boost on the opening day of the new season. Georgia international Shota Arveladze was on the mark in the 29th minute to score with a header from six metres after debutant Mikel Arteta's corner caused chaos in the box. But Scottish international Andy McLaren hooked a left-foot volley home in 79 minutes to earn Jim Jefferies side a battling point.

Zarate double
UEFA Cup contenders Livingston FC scorched into an early lead against Motherwell FC thanks to a spectacular volley from Oscar Rubio in the eighth minute and eventually ran out 3-2 winners. Argentinian striker Rolando Zarate scored on 34 and 47 minutes to put the home side into a seemingly unassailable lead. However, Motherwell stormed back and captain Scott Leitch pulled one back in 50 minutes before Dirk Lehmann's header in the 64th minute reduced the deficit to one.

Late winner
Fellow UEFA Cup hopefuls Aberdeen FC had Jamie Clark to thank for snatching a 2-1 win against Hibernian FC. Spaniard Paco Luna's 15-metre drive gave Hibs the lead in 34 minutes, but Darren Mackie's effort from a similar distance in the 64th minute levelled the match. Then Clark popped up with the injury-time winner to break Hibs' hearts.

Two draws
Dundee FC and Heart of Midlothian FC fought out a 1-1 draw at Dens Park. Fabian Caballero scored the Dundee equaliser in the 64th minute after Gary Wales's 33rd-minute header gave the Tynecastle side a first-half lead. Promoted Partick Thistle FC earned their opening point of the campaign at the first time of asking with a 0-0 draw at home to Dundee United FC.