SPL wrap: Rangers take title with five-goal romp

Rangers have wrapped up their third-straight Scottish Premier League title with a 5-1 win over Kilmarnock on Sunday.

Walter Smith’s team scored three times in the opening seven minutes with striker Kyle Lafferty hitting a hat-trick as they claimed their 54th league title, despite Celtic’s 4-0 thrashing of Motherwell.

Rangers claimed the title by one point from their arch rivals.

Lafferty produced two fine finishes in the first seven minutes, either side of a similarly neat strike from Steven Naismith.

The 3-0 half-time lead was match-winning but Rangers ensured they would finish the season in style with two more in the first eight minutes of the second half.

Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic curled in a free-kick and Lafferty completed his treble when he poked home from 10 yards.

Kilmarnock, who finished fifth, did pull a goal back on 65 minutes through winger James Dayton, whose 25-yard free-kick took a deflection and found its way into the bottom corner.

Celtic scored twice in each half in their 4-0 win over Motherwell.

First-half strikes from strikers Gary Hooper and Georgios Samaras set them on their way at Celtic Park, although it meant little with Rangers in full control at Kilmarnock.

Hooper had his initial effort blocked but reacted quickly to open the scoring after 29 minutes and Samaras doubled their advantage when he side-footed Charlie Mulgrew’s cross past Motherwell goal-keeper Lee Hollis.

Shaun Maloney beat two defenders before he placed into the bottom corner to make it 3-0 and substitute Paddy McCourt blasted home from close range to complete the scoring after 71 minutes and condemn sixth-placed Motherwell to a heavy loss.

Irish striker Jon Daly scored the winner as Dundee United finished their season with a 2-1 win over Hearts.

Dundee’s David Goodwillie struck first on 22 minutes but his opener was cancelled out nine minutes later by Gary Glen.

A cross from full-back Sean Dillon found Daly with 20 minutes to play and the striker blasted home the winner.

Hearts finish third despite being winless in their last eight outings, while Dundee United were a place and two points behind.