Rangers moved top of the Scottish Premier League with a 2-0 victory at home to Dundee United on Saturday.

First half goals from Steven Naismith and captain Barry Ferguson ensured Walter Smith's side took all three points in their first game of the new year.

Rangers are a point ahead of SPL holders Celtic and could go four points clear if they win their game in hand away to St Mirren on Tuesday.

Before kick-off a minute's applause had been held as a mark of respect for Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell, who died the previous Saturday after collapsing during their 5-3 victory at home to United.

In addition Rangers captain Barry Ferguson wore a Motherwell armband which included O'Donnell's No10, and the United players all wore a black armband.

The Ibrox side had not taken long to open the scoring with only nine minutes played.

Chris Burke's left-foot cross found Naismith bursting into the six-yard box unimpeded to send a free header past the United goalkeeper Euan McLean.

The Rangers fans had been delighted to hear of right-back Alan Hutton's rejection of a reported £8m transfer to English Premiership side Tottenham on Thursday and chanted his name to show their appreciation.

And the Ibrox support - making up the majority of the 48,559 crowd - were almost cheering a second goal in the 36th minute with a low drive from 20-yards, which required McLean to dive to his right to tip round his post.

From the resulting corner Hutton almost increased his popularity at Ibrox with a header which clipped the post on its way over.

But in the 39th minute Rangers did double their lead in controversial circumstances.

Burke's cross from the left was met by Ferguson who headed past goalkeeper McLean from eight-yards and, although the assistant referee flagged for an offside decision, referee Michael McMurray overruled his decision and allowed the goal to stand.

Daniel Cousin should have stretched Rangers' lead in the 55th minute when Ferguson's ball put him through on goal but instead of shooting for goal he tried to round keeper McLean who did well to force the Gabon international wide and waste the opportunity.

United battled to try and get back into the match but struggled to find a way past Rangers' rearguard to test goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

At the other end United keeper McLean came to his side's rescue in the final minute after Rangers were awarded a penalty, following a foul on Spanish forward Nacho Novo.

Kris Boyd, who replaced Cousin in the 81st minute, took the kick but McLean dropped to his left to make a fine one-handed save.

In the other SPL games 10 man Hearts battled back from a goal down to draw 1-1 at home to Kilmarnock - but the point could not prevent them falling to second bottom in the SPL table.

Forward Calum Elliott was sent-off in the first half and Killie took advantage to open the scoring before the break through Digiacomo. However, Lithuanian striker Andrius Velicka levelled the score in the second half.

But St Mirren moved off second bottom position with a 2-1 win at home to managerless Hibernian. First half goals from Ian Maxwell and Gary Mason put them in charge and although Hibs scored late on through Michel Antoine-Curier the Saints held on to go above Hearts.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle won 3-0 at home to bottom of the table Gretna.

Romanian striker Marius Niculae's first half double, either side of a John Rankin goal put Caley in control by the break.

And Falkirk, who had Scott Arfield sent-off in second half, drew 0-0 at home to Aberdeen.