Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research

Rangers signalled their intent in this season's Scottish Premier League with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday. A double from captain Barry Ferguson, either side of Spanish forward Nacho Novo's strike, handed Walter Smith's men an opening day win as they began their bid to prevent Celtic winning three titles in a row.

However, the result came at a cost for Rangers, with last season's top scorer Kris Boyd limping off with an ankle injury, making him a doubt for Tuesday's UEFA Champions League second leg qualifier in Montenegro against FK Zeta. Smith was satisfied to get the season off to a winning start, although he still sees room for improvement.

"We are pleased with that result and with the performance," he said. "Some of our play was a bit scrappy but overall we created a fair number of chances, especially in the first half, and we always looked as if we could add to our goals. In recent seasons we have not had great results against Caley so was very pleasing to get this one."

Rangers opened the scoring in spectacular fashion in the 16th minute. Goalkeeper Allan McGregor's long kick was headed down by Lee McCulloch into the path of Ferguson, and he unleashed a first-time, left-foot shot into the corner of the net from 25-yards.

Three minutes into the second half Rangers' striker Boyd was forced off with an ankle injury to be replaced by Novo, and it was the little Spaniard who was to double his team's advantage. McCulloch was again the provider, rolling the ball across the edge of the 18-yard box and Novo did not break stride before smashing a right-foot shot into the top corner of the net.

The scoring was completed in the 90th minute when Ferguson lobbed Caley goalkeeper Michael Fraser after a poor header from the home side's Ross Tokely.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager Charlie Christie was unhappy with his players' performance and vowed to make changes for their next game away to Motherwell. "I don't rate our performance highly at all as it was just not good enough," he moaned.

"Thankfully I can make changes for next week, though not as many as I'd like. Our players did not have the bravery to get the ball down, move it around and create opportunities and were happy just to lump the ball forward. There's no doubt Rangers will be a much better side than they were last season but we need to improve."

Falkirk ruin Gretna's party
In the other games on Saturday, newly promoted Gretna's fairytale turned into a nightmare when they went down 4-0 to Falkirk at their temporary Fir Park home. Michael Higdon's double in the first half and two second half goals from Portuguese player Pedro Moutinho and Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Russell Latapy handed John Hughes' side the perfect start.

Ten-man Dundee United won 1-0 at home to Aberdeen with a dramatic 90th minute winner from David Robertson. Craig Levein's United had to play most of the match with ten men after Irish midfielder Willo Flood was sent off in the 42nd minute, but although Aberdeen dominated much of the second half they could not take advantage of the extra man and were punished with just moments remaining.

Motherwell won 1-0 away to St Mirren, in the final match of the day, with Steve McGarry scoring the only goal of the game in the third minute to give Mark McGhee's men all three points.