Playing in his favoured centre-forward role, Camilo Durán struck twice as Celtic secured a 2-1 victory against Falkirk.
The Colombian produced two classic finishes inside the opening 29 minutes and created several opportunities for his teammates. Falkirk responded strongly after half-time, with their attacking intent rewarded when Colby Donovan scored an own goal in the 72nd minute.
The result preserved Celtic’s flawless start to the domestic campaign, although the match followed a frustrating failure to qualify for the Champions League. A four-goal aggregate advantage disappeared during Thursday’s 5-1 loss to LASK.
Celtic’s ultras criticised the board’s stated ambition to be “world class” in every area. Supporters displayed banners naming the clubs that have knocked Celtic out of Champions League qualifying during the past 14 years, accompanied by another describing the record as a “‘world class’ embarrassment”.
Despite those protests, the crowd supported the players throughout the afternoon. A chant calling for the board to be dismissed began in the standing section but was not widely taken up elsewhere inside Celtic Park.
Hearts survived a difficult finish to claim an uneasy 2-1 home victory over St Johnstone, moving into second place in the table. Fresh from their midweek Conference League playoff success away to Rapid Vienna, the Jambos deserved their two-goal advantage after James Wilson’s early finish and an own goal by Saints debutant Enes Alic.
The home side lost momentum after the interval and had to withstand late pressure after Ruari Paton reduced the deficit for the visitors early in the second half.
Dundee United delivered an impressive display without manager Jim Goodwin, defeating Kilmarnock 4-0 at Rugby Park. Goodwin was taken to hospital on Thursday, and the club announced on Saturday morning that the 44-year-old was still receiving attention for an ongoing medical issue.
Led by assistant Lee Sharp, the players responded superbly, scoring three times before half-time on their way to a first Premiership win of the season. Having failed to find the net in their previous three matches across all competitions, United built a commanding lead by the 41st minute through Emmanuel Agyei, a Zac Sapsford penalty and an excellent strike from Will Ferry.
Jesse Randall completed the scoring with a late fourth goal. Kilmarnock have now conceded 13 times across three top-flight fixtures and remain at the foot of the standings without a point.
On Sunday, Rangers travel to Aberdeen for a noon start, three days after Jablonec eliminated them from the Conference League in a penalty shootout. Hibernian, knocked out of the same tournament by Gent, visit Dundee, while Motherwell head to St Mirren following a heavy defeat against Freiburg.
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