Rangers run riot as Celtic also wins

GLASGOW (Reuters) -- Claudio Caniggia scored a hat-trick as Rangers thrashed Dunfermline 6-0 in the Scottish premier league on Sunday, but champions Celtic still lead the table after a 2-0 win over Livingston.

Mikel Arteta, Fernando Ricksen and captain Barry Ferguson scored Rangers' other goals as they enjoyed their biggest league win of the season at Dunfermline's East End Park stadium.

"I'm trying to look for a fault in the team - being a perfectionist -- but I thought all the players were excellent today," Rangers manager Alex McLeish told reporters.

"A number of players could have won the man-of-the-match and we had great performers all round. There was great team spirit and that's the kind of application I'm looking for at Rangers."

Celtic maintained a two-point lead over their city rivals thanks to first-half goals from Swedish striker Henrik Larsson and French defender Bobo Balde.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill was happy with his side in their first game since losing on away goals to Swiss team FC Basle in the Champions League final qualifying round.

"We were relatively comfortable. Livingston had a few chances but so did we," said O'Neill, whose side have a 100 percent league record after five successive wins.

"Overall, I'm satisfied and very pleased considering the disappointment of losing in Europe.

"Young Shaun Maloney came on and I thought he had an excellent 20 minutes. It was also pleasing to have Alan Thompson back from injury."

Hearts remained third in the table on nine points after a 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock, who stayed fourth.

Paul McMullan gave the home side the lead but Kilmarnock - who had Sean Hessey sent off for illegal use of an elbow - equalised through Kris Boyd.

Fifth position

Newly promoted Partick Thistle are in joint fifth position with Dunfermline after a David Lilley goal gave them a 1-0 win at Aberdeen in Sunday's other game.

Rangers expected a tough match against Dunfermline but were never threatened after Caniggia rounded home goalkeeper Marco Ruitenbeek to open the scoring on 11 minutes.

The visitors went two goals ahead when Arteta smashed home his first goal for Rangers from outside the box on 27 minutes.

Ricksen made it three as Dunfermline failed to clear a corner kick and the Dutch defender drilled the ball low into the corner of the net on 41 minutes.

The second half brought more sustained pressure from Rangers and Ferguson scored a penalty on 55 minutes after Scott Wilson fouled Shota Arveladze in the area.

Caniggia scored a further two goals in the second half - both from inside the area - with the impressive Arteta involved in the build-up work to both goals.

Celtic also had a comfortable win against Livingston. Larsson opened the scoring with a header and Balde forced the ball over the line after a frantic scramble to complete a win watched by a crowd of over 55,000 at Celtic Park.

Livingston had chances, with Eugene Dadi and David Bingham both going close but Celtic were worthy of the three points.

Hibs recorded their first league win of the season on Saturday with Derek Townsley scoring twice in a 2-0 win at Motherwell, while the Dundee derby ended goalless.

Match Summaries

 Aberdeen             0
 Partick Thistle      1 - David Lilley 31
 Red card: Nicolas Fabiano (Aberdeen) 55
 Halftime: 0-1; Attendance: 12,591
 - - - -
 Celtic               2 - Henrik Larsson 26, Bobo Balde 38
 Livingston           0
 HT: 2-0; Att: 56,988
 - - - -
 Dunfermline Athletic 0
 Rangers              6 - Claudio Cannigia 12, 59, 68, Mikel
                          Arteta 27, Fernando Ricksen 41, Barry
                          Ferguson 57pen
 HT: 0-3; Att: 8,948
 - - - -
    Played on Saturday
 Dundee United        0
 Dundee               0
 Red card: Allan Smart (Dundee United) 74
 Attendance: 12,402
 - - - -
 Hearts               1 - Paul McMullan 31
 Kilmarnock           1 - Kris Boyd 44
 Red card: Sean Hessey (Kilmarnock) 38
 HT: 1-1; Att: 11,912
 - - - -
 Motherwell           0
 Hibernian            2 - Derek Townsley 15, 71
 HT: 0-1; Att: 5,888

 

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