Kris Boyd claimed his eighth goal of the season as Rangers returned to the summit of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with a 3-0 win over Kilmarnock.

Gretna's administrators slashed the club's staff with 29 redundancies on a grim day for the Black and Whites - but stressed it was a vital step towards completing the season.

NINE former Gretna players face a race against time to find new clubs after the Scottish Premier League club’s administrators axed them all on a devastating day for the Borderers yesterday.

Nine senior Gretna players have been made redundant by the Scottish Premier League club’s administrators.

Former Gretna captain Chris Innes has been made redundant by adminstrators and the club’s community coaches have also been dismissed.

GORDON STRACHAN refused to become embroiled in a war of words with Rangers chief executive Martin Bain on the subject of an extended season last night.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan all but promised to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window but told fans they will not see a new face in the side for Wednesday’s Old Firm game at Parkhead.

Celtic 3 Gretna 0

Gretna 1 Derry City 5

Dundee United 3 Dunfermline 2

Dundee United 1 Celtic 5

Celtic were on course to go eight points clear at the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League courtesy of Chris Sutton’s first-half strike at Tannadice today.

Rangers made sure their flag-day celebrations were enjoyed by a 49,000 Ibrox crowd by thumping Kilmarnock, who did nothing to discourage a party atmosphere.

Champions Rangers were halfway towards beginning the new campaign with a resounding victory after Kilmarnock ended the half three goals and a man down.

A hat-trick from Henrik Larsson saw 10-man Celtic retain the CIS Insurance Cup with 3-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Hampden Park.