Scottish champions Celtic kicked off the defence of their title with a comfortable 4-1 home win over Kilmarnock yesterday.

Last season's runners-up Hearts were 2-1 winners at 10-man Dunfermline with goals from Czech Republic strikers Roman Bednar and Michal Pospisil.

Polish striker Maciej Zurawski fired the opener for Celtic after 25 minutes before Czech Jiri Jarosik headed a fine second in the 38th.

Japanese midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura curled home a magnificent third with a free-kick from more than 20 metres with 15 minutes left.

Kilmarnock pulled a goal back when Steve Naismith cracked a left foot shot high into the net from 10 metres before Zurawski hit his second with a low shot in the final minute to complete the scoring.

The win left Celtic manager Gordon Strachan feeling vindicated after mixed fortunes in pre-season.

"We must be the only club in history to start the season under pressure despite winning the league and another trophy (the League Cup)," Strachan said.

"We are not panicking. Competitive players need competitive games and we don't take friendlies seriously."

Results: Celtic vs Kilmarnock 4-1; Dundee Utd vs Falkirk 1-2; Dun-fermline vs Hearts 1-2; Hibernian vs Aberdeen 1-1; Inverness vs St Mirren 1-2. Today - Motherwell vs Rangers (3 p.m.).

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