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By Keir Murray & Thomas McGuigan
1707: We're back on SPL duty on Monday when Hearts travel to Tannadice to take on Dundee United. The new football season is well and truly under way and it's good to be back! See you soon.
1705: More than a few goals worth checking out on our website from 1800 BST on Sunday. Lee McCulloch's scorcher against Falkirk, Kevin Kyle's second against Hamilton and Aiden McGeady's second against Aberdeen at Pittodrie are all well worth seeing again, and again...
1703: And there are impressive wins for Kilmarnock, Celtic and Hibs over Hamilton, Aberdeen and St Mirren, respectively. St Johnstone secure a point against Motherwell in their first game back in Scotland's top flight after a seven-year absence.
So, Rangers get the defence of their SPL title off to a winning start with a comprehensive victory over Falkirk.
1653: "It has been a terrific advert for Scottish football at McDiarmid Park and you can see it tonight on BBC Alba" BBC Radio Scotland commentator Liam McLeod
1652: FULL-TIME Hibs 2-1 St Mirren, Kilmarnock 3-0 Hamilton
1650: FULL-TIME Rangers 4-1 Falkirk
1649: FULL-TIME St Johnstone 2-2 Motherwell
1648: Rangers force a number of corners as they look to find a fifth goal.
1646: Tom Brighton's attempt at an equaliser for St Mirren is deflected wide.
1642: Motherwell's Jim O'Brien almost snatches the lead with a superb shot on the turn from 30 yards, but the ball strikes the junction of bar and post.
1642: GOAL Hibernian 2-1 St Mirren Abdessalam Benjelloun scores with a diving header on his return to Easter Road.
1641: GOAL Rangers 4-1 Falkirk (Steven Naismith)
Naismith outpaces Jackie McNamara before sliding a cool finish into the net.
1639: As things stand, Kilmarnock will go top of the league on goal difference, courtesy of their 3-0 thumping of Hamilton. Rangers and Celtic will be hot on their heels. Will we see a winner at Easter Road or McDiarmid Park?
1638: Kevin McBride blasts towards goal and St Mirren keeper makes an excellent one-handed save.
1637: "We're in for a grandstand finish." BBC Radio Scotland commentator Paul Mitchell at Easter Road</CPS:EVENT>
1637: John Fleck tests Olejnik with a long-range effort, but it's well saved by the exhausted-looking Bairns keeper.
1636: Kris Boyd trudges off the pitch at Ibrox and a huge roar goes up as Kevin Thomson makes his return to the first-team after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
1634: "This is a magnificent match. Both teams look like they score every time they attack." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Sandy Clark at McDiarmid Park
1632: A left-foot shot from Richard Offiong beats Cameron Bell in the Killie goal but cannons back off the post.
1633: Another John Rankin shot is fisted away by St Mirren goalkeeper Paul Gallacher.
1633: Kenny Deuchar misses a great chance for St Johnstone when Murray Davidson turns the ball back after rounding goalkeeper John Ruddy, but the striker blasts the ball over from 16 yards.
1631: Kenny Miller grabs his second of the game as he dances away from a couple of Falkirk challenges before firing a crisp shot beyond Olejnik. That should make the points safe.
1630:GOAL Rangers 3-1 Falkirk (Kenny Miller)
1629: John Rankin's trademark 'squiggler' shot just clears the crossbar at Easter Road.
1628: Rangers manager Walter Smith comes down from his seat in the stand to discuss tactics with assistant Ally McCoist. The hosts would breathe easier if they could find a third goal.
1627: Paul Gallacher makes an important block from Paul Hanlon's shot for Hibs.
1626: Hamill slotted the ball under Tomas Cerny to make it 3-0 to Killie as the Hamilton defence claimed in vain for offside.
1625: GOAL Kilmarnock 3-0 Hamilton (Jamie Hammil)
Hamill caps a satisfying afternoon for Kilmarnock with a cool finish from inside the penalty area low into the middle of the net.
1624: Ross Forbes smacks home the equaliser for Well form just outside the box.
1623: GOAL St Johnstone 2- 2 Motherwell (Forbes)
1620: Steven Davis almost puts the game out of Falkirk's sight, but the Rangers midfielder's curled shot goes just past Robert Olejnik's left-hand post.
Graham Gartland puts the Saintees ahead, poking the ball home after a stramash in the goalmouth.
1615: GOAL St Johnstone 2-1 Motherwell (Gartland)
Shaun Hutchinson bullets a 16-yard header into the net to equalise for Motherwell.
1612: GOAL St Johnstone 1-1 Motherwell
1611: "It'll be a long time before I see a better goal than that at Rugby Park" BBC Scotland's Jim Fleeting on Kyle's second goal of the day
1610: Hibs striker Colin Nish heads against the bar when it looked easier to score for the home side at Easter Road.
1609: Kyle, fast becoming the Golden Boot candidate of Scottish football, grabs his second goal of the game with a fabulous effort. Killie 2-0 up and coasting.
1608: GOAL Kilmarnock 2-0 Hamilton (Kevin Kyle)
1608: The Kilmarnock defence have a lucky escape when a corner from Rubiales hits the junction of post and crossbar, and bounces clear.
1607: Youngsters Chris Humphrey and Robert McHugh and come into the Motherwell side and it appears that they are going for broke with an old-style 4-2-4 formation.
1606: Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan and experienced striker John Sutton are surprisingly missing from the Motherwell line-up after half-time.
1605: Rangers captain David Weir heads clear as the Bairns swarm around Allan McGregor's goal, but the hosts repel the danger. Great start to the second half.
1604: Rangers will be looking to extend their advantage in the second half as Falkirk have been looking dangerous on the counter attack.
1603: We're under way for the second half at all four grounds.
1601:
From memnoch666 On My Sport "Rangers look to be too relaxed in some parts of that 1st half, no urgency about the play at times, so not putting as much pressure on Falkirk as they should be."
1556: "I have really enjoyed St Johnstone. They show great enthusiasm and have created some good chances. Motherwell have not been in the game much, although their two wide men look dangerous when they get on the ball" BBC Radio Scotland pundit Sandy Clark
1547: HALF-TIME Hibernian 1-1 St Mirren
Ten-man Saints took the lead through Stephen McGinn but David Wotherspoon's debut strike restores parity before the break.
1546: HALF-TIME Rangers 2-1 Falkirk HALF-TIME Kilmarnock 1-0 Hamilton and St Johnstone 1-0 Motherwell
1545: Great goalkeeping by Bairns keeper Robert Olejnik. He rushes out to thwart Steven Naismith and is quick to get back on to his feet to parry the follow-up shot by Kris Boyd, with Ninja-like reflexes.
1544: "Killie skipper scoring, it's not often you see a skipper up front." BBC Scotland's Jim Fleeting
1542: Kyle broke the deadlock at Rugby Park after taking advantage of poor Hamilton defending to fire home from close range. Surely that will bring a smile to the face of Jim Jefferies?
1541: Murray Davidson misses a good chance to put St Johnstone 2-0 ahead when he side-foots the ball straight at keeper John Ruddy after a neat cut-back from Dave MacKay.
1540:
GOAL Kilmarnock 1-0 Hamilton (Kevin Kyle)
1539:
GOAL Hibernian 1-1 St Mirren
John Rankin sets up David Wotherspoon to score a debut goal for Hibernian. The Edinburgh side restore parity at Easter Road within a minute. We're in the midst of a goal frenzy...
1538: The visitors take advantage of a mistake Yves Ma-Kalambay with Andy Dorman crossing and the ball eventually falls to Stephen McGinn, who finds the net.
1538:
GOAL Hibernian 0-1 St Mirren
1537: Hibs finally threaten. Patrick Cregg crosses and Colin Nish ghosts in to send a header wide.
1536:Kenny Miller heads Rangers back in front at Ibrox. The Scotland international dances away from his marker and guides Steve Davis's cross into the net.
1535:Murray Davidson pounces on Liam Craig's sclaffed shot at the edge of the box and the former Livingston player's effort is deflected into the Motherwell net. St Johnstone's first SPL goal after a seven-year absence!
1534: GOAL Rangers 2-1 Falkirk (Kenny Miller)
GOAL 1532: St Johnstone 1-0 Motherwell (Murray Davidson)
Murray Davidson's goal deflected off Stephen Craigan - Motherwell need to get him up front - he has a great knack of diverting the ball goalwards - unfortunately it's usually towards his own goal...
1531: Motherwell come close when a Tom Hateley cross is turned towards goal, more by luck than design by Jim O'Brien, but the winger's toe-poke slips just wide of St Johnstone's post.
1530: It's quietened down at Easter Road since Thomson's red card with the home side yet to test St Mirren goalkeeper Paul Gallacher.
1527: Kilmarnock keeper Cameron Bell beats Richard Offiong's shot away and Hamilton's Paixao manages to reach the rebound, but fails to keep it on target.
1528: Hang in there St Johnstone and Motherwell fans. Not a lot happening at McDiarmid Park, but hopefully it's the calm before the goal storm!
1527: "It's been a game of chess so far at Ibrox" BBC Radio Scotland pundit Billy Dodds
1524: Finnegan shows great presence of mind to feather the ball past McGregor from six yards out after a superb cross from Burton O'Brien.
1524: GOAL Rangers 1-1 Falkirk (Carl Finnegan)
1523: That howitzer from Lee McCulloch was his first goal since January 2008. Not a bad way to rediscover your scoring touch.
1522: "If those stuck in traffic en-route to Ibrox supported their local team then they wouldn't be moaning about being stuck in traffic." Eddie, Prestwick, via email
1521: "Fabulous football in a very Falkirk style." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Des McKeown on Hibernian under new manager John Hughes
1520: A left-footed daisy-cutter from Gavin Skelton flashes only a yard or so wide of Tomas Cerny's goal. Still goalless at Rugby Park.
1519: Kris Boyd's shot-on-the-turn is well saved by Olejnik. That goal has settled Rangers and they look in the mood now. McCulloch's goal... what a cracker!
1516: Hamilton defender Marvin Andrews almost atones for his earlier defensive wobbles but heads wide from a corner.
1514: RED CARD St Mirren down to 10 men after Steven Thomson is dismissed for a reckless lunge on Hibernian debutant Patrick Cregg.
1517: Tom Hateley has made a surprise debut in the starting line-up for Motherwell. The printed teamsheet had Paul Slane in the team, but there has been a late change and the speculation is that Slane was injured in the warm-up.
1515: McCulloch picks the ball up about 30 yards out and fires an unstoppable shot into the top corner past the helpless Robert Olejnik.
1514:
GOAL Rangers 1-0 Falkirk (Lee McCulloch)
1513: Falkirk's Ryan Flynn forces Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor into a smart save with a wicked shot from about 20 yards. Eddie May's side have started in confident fashion.
1512: Kilmarnock's goal machine Kevin Kyle puts the ball wide from close range after Andrews's missed clearance.
1511: Mehmet threatens again, this time heading over the Hibernian crossbar from Jack Ross's teasing cross.
1510: Connor Sammon almost opens the scoring after exploiting an error from Marvin Andrews but blazes it over one-on-one with the Hamilton keeper Tomas Cerny.
1508: Yves Ma-Kalambay is forced into a save from Billy Mehmet's shot for St Mirren. Early pressure from the visitors.
1508: "Well that's five minutes gone at Rugby Park and Jim Jefferies is out of his seat complaining, that must be some sort of record." - BBC Scotland's Alasdair Lamont
1507: "When I heard Mark Reynolds saying last night that he was going to play central midfield, I thought he was on alcohol. But he is playing there, I assume to protect the two central defenders" BBC Radio Scotland pundit Sandy Clark at McDiarmid Park
1505:
From Bogchuff On My Sport: "Just sat in the TV room on a rig offshore surrounded by Celtic fans (the majority from Peterhead, naturally) and even they were starting to feel sorry for me!"
1504: Falkirk have started brightly against the champions at Ibrox. A couple of free-kicks, but nothing to force Allan McGregor into action as yet.
1501: St Mirren's Andy Dorman is back on his feet after a hefty collision with Hibernian goalkeeper Yves Ma-Kalambay. Welcome back Andy!
1500: We're under way at the four SPL games. Hold onto your hats!
1459: Rangers fans give their players a thunderous reception as the league flag is unfurled at a sun-kissed Ibrox.
1455: Jim Gannon's Motherwell side will be smarting from their Europa League exit at the hands of Steaua Bucharest, but they showed flashes of attacking promise against the Romanians. Here's hoping for a cracker when they take on Saints at McDiarmid Park.
1453: St Johnstone return to the SPL for the first time in seven years. Manager Derek McInnes says his squad has a good blend of youth and experience for the season ahead.
1451: Rangers supporters are preparing to see the championship flag being unfurled at Ibrox. Last season's title victory was their first in four attempts and they'll be hell-bent on defending their crown.
1450: Celtic manager Tony Mowbray has just told BBC Scotland that Shaun Maloney should be fit for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Arsenal.
1447: Now for this afternoon's SPL main course: defending champions Rangers host Falkirk, Hibs take on St Mirren, Kilmarnock entertain Hamilton and SPL newcomers St Johnstone face Motherwell at McDiarmid Park.
1446: Thanks Keir, four goals and a great game at Pittodrie to get the new season up and running in style.
1444: Well, folks, it has been fun. Thanks for following the live text so far. I now hand you over to the bold Mr Thomas McGuigan, poised at his keyboard. Bye!
1443: Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist describes the decision to play McGregor ahead of Alexander as "a heck of a decision" and dismisses the supposed bust-up with John Fleck.
1438: A good start to the league campaign for Tony Mowbray. Lots of players are looking keen to take the ball. But for Mark McGhee, plenty of work to be done to get the Dons players working as a team.
1436: Full-time Aberdeen 1-3 Celtic
1435: Artur Boruc picks up the ball ever so lethargically to take the last goal-kick of the game. An easy day for the Pole.
While Eddie May has chosen the following line-up for Falkirk: Olejnik, Barr, McLean, Twaddle, Scobbie, McNamara, O'Brien, Lima, Arfield, Flynn, Finnigan. Subs: Wagenaar, Mitchell, Robertson, Allison, Lynch, MacDonald, Marceta.
The Rangers team to face the Bairns at Ibrox is: McGregor, Whittaker, Bougherra, Weir, Smith, Naismith, Davis, McCulloch, Fleck, Boyd, Miller. Subs: Alexander, Thomson, Niguez, Beasley, Little, Wilson, Neff.
1432: There are just moments left at Pittodrie but the travelling Celtic fans will be concerned at the sight of Maloney hobbling off the pitch. His team will need his creativity against Arsenal this coming week.
News reaches us that Allan McGregor is the Rangers number one for today's home games against Falkirk - a sore one for Ibrox team-mate Neil Alexander.
1430: The team lines are in for St Johnstone v Motherwell, the Saints first match back in the big time.
1427: Gary McDonald cannot believe that he hasn't scored. Sone Aluko drove in a cross from the left wing and the ball fell to the Dons man a yard or so from the goal-line, but his half-hit shot was deflected wide. Incredible!
1426: The Big Yin is spotted in the main stand at Pittodrie. Not a towering centre-half labout to sign for the Dons, but none other than Celtic fan Billy Connolly.
1424: Andrew Considine comes on for Diamond.
1423: A lull in the play as Diamond receives treatment from the medical staff. The players have a moment to concentrate their minds on the remaining 10 minutes.
1422: Aberdeen defender Zander Diamond goes down injured and is about to be stretchered off.
From Akiel_Aberdeen on My Sport: We all knew the first game would be like this, writing on the cards before the kick off, better to get this game out of the way and LEARN from it. Defence still needs another player and attacking options limited. No need to panic just yet, let's wait until first round of 11 games are out of the way then judge...
1417: Celtic's Scott Brown tests the legs of Gary McDonald down the left wing and finds the Aberdeen man impossible to get past in the box.
1414: Aberdeen successfully repel another Celtic corner. Twenty minutes remaining for the Dons to get another goal back.
1410 Georgios Samaras, on as a substitute for Scott McDonald, stings Jamie Langfield's palms with a low shot.
1409: Shaun Maloney sends a 25-yard free-kick straight into the Aberdeen wall and the Dons clear the danger.
1407: The home supporters in the Pittodrie crowd sound their appreciation for a more spirited display in this second half.
Aluko arrows a superb shot into the top corner from just inside the penalty area. Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc had no chance of stopping that. Game on?
1403: GOAL Aberdeen 1-3 Celtic (Sone Aluko)
1358: Big Marc-Antoine Fortune leaps at the back post and is first to the ball but his header goes wide from just four yards out.
1356: The game has a slower tempo this half, but a familiar pattern: Celtic encamped in the Dons' half.
From Howling_Sheep on My Sport: There's no point in sacking someone who's been in post for 2 months, who has 3 competitive games under his belt and who lost three outfield players in the close season, but brought in just one to compensate (Ifil who is making his competitive debut today) ... it's going to be a long, hard haul this season...
1353: Scott Brown comes on for defender Glenn Loovens, presumably to protect the centre-half in view of the Champions League qualifer against Arsenal on Tuesday, and to give Brown some game time.
1349: Don't forget, the Predictor is back for the new season. I hope you'll have a go this season. And you can see highlights of all the Saturday SPL matches on the BBC Sport website from 1800 BST on Sunday.
1348: The second half is under way. What was that I was bemoaning the absence of earlier this afternoon? Goals and sunshine, was it...?
1347: Things have to get better for the Dons. They have played two-and-half competitive games and have conceded 11 goals.
From bringthemonjpn on My Sport: McGhee will just try to settle the players' bowels with some tactics on the white board...the numbers of the local Job Centres might be the first thing we write up there.
1344: A few more minutes until the second half kicks off. Some Aberdeen fans have left the ground already.
From DavieP26 on My Sport: Odds on McGhee for first boss to be sacked surely looking good! 1-8 in Europe ...0-3 in half an hour! Bet you wish wee Jimmy was still there now.
1335: Well, did YOU hear McGhee's half-time team-talk?
1334: BBC Radio Scotland reporter Chris McLaughlin says he has never seen Mark McGhee so angry. Wherever you are, ask for a bit of quiet...
1332: "A storm of booing from the home fans at the half-time whistle; the away fans are jubilant." BBC Radio Scotland commentator David Begg
1331: Half-time Aberdeen 0-3 Celtic
Scott McDonald basks in the sunshine (where did that come from?!) as the ball falls kindly for him eight yards out in the centre of the box.
1329: GOAL Aberdeen 0-3 Celtic (McDonald)
A stunning second goal by McGeady, picking up the ball and working his way left across the 18-yard line and curling in a beauty beyond Langfield.
1326: GOAL Aberdeen 0-2 Celtic (McGeady)
1325: Mark McGhee will have a knot in his stomach as he watches the action unfold. He desperately needs the half-time whistle to sound to get his players in to regroup.
1322: Confidence is soaring through the Celtic team. Every player looks keen to get on the ball. A few moments ago, even full-back Daniel Fox was far enough forward to try his luck at goal, though his shot whipped by the post.
1321: Charlie Mulgrew stems the tide, tracking the run of bustling Maloney inside the box. Good, strong defending by the former Parkhead player.
From requiem7 on My Sport: I hate to say this but I hope Celtic hammer Aberdeen. A good result will paper over the cracks of a poor Aberdeen team. It will also put pressure on the board.
1316: Maloney scampers down the right flank this time and sends in a low, fast cross which McDonald connects with beautifully. Langfield makes a terrific block from close range. Celtic are rampant.
McGeady scores the first SPL goal of the season, side-footing the ball home in mid-air from close range, following good work by Fortune in the box. A deserved lead for the visitors.
1313: GOAL Aberdeen 0-1 Celtic (McGeady)
1312: "I make that eight chances created by Celtic and they haven't taken any of them." BBC Radio Scotland commentator David Begg
1311: Aiden McGeady is played in by Scott McDonald and drifts from inside right to a central position with no fewer than FIVE Reds in his wake, but the Ireland international doesn't trouble Jamie Langfield.
1310: Another chance there for the Bhoys, but Shaun Maloney was unable to find a team-mate with his cut-back.
1308: Aberdeen are enjoying a bit more possession. They suddenly look like they have the appetite for the match.
1307: Sone Aluko is one of those players you would pay to watch. He has won a free-kick for Aberdeen, having jinked down the left and having caused mild panic among the Celtic support.
1304: "Aberdeen need to get Sone Aluko further forward to put pressure on Andreas Hinkel." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Murdo MacLeod
1304: A wee flash of vintage Shaun Maloney there, racing down the left wing for Celtic, cutting inside and firing in a right-footed shot at Jamie Langfield. Well taken by the goalie.
1301: "I don't know what Jamie Langfield was doing there. If a Celtic player had been behind him at the back post that would've been a goal." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Steve Cowan
1300: Spare a thought for poor Langfield, though. He had to pick the ball out of his net eight times in the two Europa League games against Sigma Olomouc. Ouch.
1259: Jamie Langfield didn't look too clever coming out to collect a Celtic cross there - he missed it completely at full stretch.
1257:Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee will undoubtedly have been impressing upon his strikeforce that Celtic are missing last season's central defensive pairing of Gary Caldwell (suspended) and Stephen McManus (injured).
1255: A bit more composure on the part of Chris Maguire and Aberdeen might have profited from a five-on-three situation 30 yards out from Artur Boruc's goal. He goes for the shot and it ricochets off a Celtic defender.
1253: The Pittodrie turf looks in excellent condition. The only things that are missing on this opening day of the SPL season are sunshine and goals...
1252: Celtic move forward with pace, with Aiden McGeady looking eager and dangerous in the Dons half.
1249: If you fancy listening to David Begg's commentary of the game and you are in the UK, just follow the Aberdeen v Celtic link on the right-hand side of the page.
1247: First chance goes to Celtic's Australian striker Scott McDonald, who blasts over the bar from eight yards out. The Dons will need to sharpen up at the back.
1245: And the SPL season has begun! Whoever is your team, we hope you have an enjoyable season.
1244: The Dons are wearing their all-red strip, Celtic are in their traditional green and white hoops.
1241: Celtic manager Tony Mowbray tells BBC Radio Scotland reporter Chris McLaughlin that he does not wish to see Andreas Hinkel leave the club for Hull.
From bringthemonjpn On My Sport: With all those expensive players sitting on the Celtic bench I'm sure they must have brought their own comfy one with them.
1233: It looks like Celtic's Italian midfielder Massimo Donati has become a favourite with Mowbray. We can look forward to his battle with Mark Kerr.
1229: Tony Mowbray has kept Scott Brown on the bench for Celtic, and Georgios Samaras might consider himself unlucky not to be in the starting line-up - Marc-Antoine Fortune preferred up front.
1227: Mark Kerr takes the captain's armband for Aberdeen. His drive from midfield will be an essential feature for the Reds this season.
1225: It's a Dons debut for defender Jerel Ifil, signed by Mark McGhee from Swindon this week.
And the Celtic team: Boruc, Hinkel, Daniel Fox, O'Dea, Loovens, N'Guemo, Donati, McGeady, McDonald, Fortune, Maloney. Subs: Zaluska, Scott Brown, Samaras, Crosas, Killen, Caddis, Ferry.
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