UK Football

By Kenny MacDonald

GLASGOW, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Champions Celtic eased to a 3-0 win over Aberdeen to remain top of the Scottish Premier League (SPL) on Saturday.

Dutch striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink flicked home the opener in 14 minutes after latching on to a header from Czech midfielder Jiri Jarosik.

Celtic took a 2-0 lead before half an hour had been played when midfielder Aiden McGeady launched a fierce, left-footed drive beyond keeper Jamie Langfield. Australian striker Scott McDonald added the third in 49 minutes.

They now have 31 points from 13 games and have yet to concede a home goal in the league this season.

Rangers won 3-1 at Falkirk in wet, windy conditions earlier on Saturday, thanks to goals from Spanish defender Carlos Cueller, French striker Jean-Claude Darcheville and forward Kris Boyd, and remain second on 29 points.

"We should have been comfortable (winners) but we managed a third near the end," Rangers manager Walter Smith told BBC Radio. "Certainly, in the second half of the game, Falkirk were the better side."

Hibernian drew 2-2 at home with Dundee United who had Sean Dillon sent off.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle beat St Mirren 1-0, with Don Cowie firing the first-half winner with a neat volley, and Kilmarnock lost 1-0 at home to Motherwell.

Hearts play Gretna on Sunday in the remaining SPL fixture. (Editing by Clare Fallon)