Rangers humbled at home by Hibs

Scottish champions Rangers were humbled 3-0 at home by Hibernian in the Premier League following a hat-trick by substitute Ivan Sproule yesterday.

Hearts extended their lead at the top with a 2-1 home win over Motherwell, Czech Rudi Skacel scoring the opener to register his fifth goal for the Edinburgh side in five league games.

Sproule lobbed Rangers keeper Ronald Waterreus after 67 minutes and cracked home a brilliant second before waltzing round the goalkeeper to seal a first league win at Ibrox in 10 years for Hibs.

"We started well, had a couple of chances, but I have to ask myself at the end of the game, instead of losing 3-0 why we didn't win 3-0," Rangers manager Alex McLeish told BBC Radio Scotland.

"These guys have done well this week (qualifying for the Champions League group stages) but we are back to reality. It just proves there are no guarantees in football," he added.

"It was a smash and grab job at the end. I did warn the players at the back when he (Sproule) came on that he was very quick."

Hearts have 15 points from five games with Rangers on nine. Celtic visit Dunfermline today.

Aberdeen beat Falkirk 3-0 with a first-half double from Jamie Smith and Kilmarnock crushed Livingston 3-0 following a first-half hat-trick by striker Colin Nish.

League Cup

Scottish League Cup holders Rangers were handed a home draw in the third round against first division side Clyde, managed by former Rangers defender Graham Roberts. Celtic will meet fellow Premier League side Falkirk.

Third round draw

Kilmarnock vs Dunfermline; Livingston vs Hearts; Inverness Caledonian Thistle vs Dundee United; Stranraer vs Aberdeen; Celtic vs Falkirk; Ayr United vs Hibernian; Rangers vs Clyde; St Mirren vs Motherwell.

Ties to be played on Sept. 20- 21.