Leaders Rangers ease to 2-0 win over Falkirk

By Kenny MacDonald

GLASGOW (Reuters) - Rangers grabbed a 2-0 win against Falkirk in their Scottish Premier League clash on Saturday to stretch their lead over title rivals Celtic to seven points.

Kris Boyd crashed in a 20-metre free kick for Rangers's first goal in the 23rd minute and substitute Stevie Naismith drove in the second, two minutes from time.

Rangers have 56 points from 23 games while second-placed Celtic, on 49, are at Aberdeen on Sunday. Dundee United are third in the standings with 39 points from 25 matches following their 1-1 draw with Hibernian.

John Rankin earned Hibernian the point with his first goal for the club, firing in a hopeful 20-metre shot a minute into the second half which bounced over diving Polish keeper Lukasz Zaluska.

United had taken a first-half lead through Noel Hunt who cracked in a 12th-minute penalty despite Hibs' Belgian keeper Yves Kalambay getting a hand to the ball.

Hearts beat bottom club Gretna 2-0 with Lithuanian striker Andrius Velicka scoring both goals.

Velicka put Hearts in front after just three minutes and then slotted home a penalty shortly before the break. Gretna had Danny Hall sent off in the 65th minute for his second bookable offence.

St Mirren striker Billy Mehmet scored from close range 15 minutes from the end to earn his side a 1-1 draw at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.