The Scottish Premiership is full of fire, and this week was no exception. Ste Carson breaks down the latest talking points in Flashscore UK’s regular snapshot of the action.
Rangers held by Motherwell
Rangers got their Premiership season underway on Saturday with a 1-1 draw away at Motherwell, which was labelled a "lucky" result by manager Russell Martin.
The former Southampton boss slammed his team's mentality as they settled for a point on the road, blaming the players' lack of aggression after going 1-0 up.
The Gers took the lead after 14 minutes through captain James Tavernier, and dominated the first period. Danilo hit the bar, a chance he would later rue.
Emmanuel Longelo struck in the 87th minute to rescue a point for the Well, with the full-time whistle being greeted by boos from the travelling Rangers fans.
The Gers are next in league action against Dundee FC on 9 August, wedged between Europa League qualifying clashes with Victoria Plzen.
Rangers' European conquest may take priority, but they should still have enough in the tank to see off the Dee at Ibrox and get their domestic campaign truly underway.
Motherwell travel to St Mirren on 9 August.
Celtic do just enough
Despite dominating the match, Celtic left it late to take all three points against St Mirren and capitalise on rivals Rangers' slip-up at Motherwell.
The Celts burst out of the traps but were unable to break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes.
Callum McGregor thought he had given his side the lead after 67 minutes, but his effort was ruled out after a VAR review.
St Mirren defended resolutely, but Celtic mustered up enough fight as Luke McCowan found the back of the net on the 87th minute to get his side's Premiership title defence started with a win.
Up next for the Celts is a trip to Aberdeen on 10 August, while the Saints host Motherwell the day prior.
Killie's chaotic opener
Kilmarnock and Livingston shared an eye-catching 2-2 draw at Rugby Park on Saturday, made all the more interesting by Killie’s 2-0 lead before the break.
The hosts surged ahead as new man Djenairo Daniels and the reliable David Watson both found the back of the net by the 42nd minute.
However, 20 minutes into the second period, George Stanger was given a straight red card for fouling Robbie Muirhead, reducing Kilmarnock to ten men, and giving Livingston a spot-kick.
Muirhead made no mistake from 12 yards to make it 2-1, before Scott Pittman equalised in the 86th minute as the Killie could only resist the pressure for so long.
It doesn't get any easier for Kilmarnock, who are up against Hibernian in Edinburgh on 10 August. Livingston, meanwhile, will face Falkirk at home the day prior.
