Lawrence Shankland spot-on as Derek McInnes enjoys winning start with Hearts

Derek McInnes’s tenure as Hearts boss began with an emphatic 4-1 Premier Sports Cup group win over Dunfermline with skipper Lawrence Shankland celebrating his new contract by scoring twice from the spot.

James Wilson got the first goal of their campaign in the third minute at Tynecastle as he finished from close range after Shankland’s effort struck the post.

Josh Cooper fired in a delightful equaliser for Neil Lennon’s side but in the 76th minute, after Alan Forrest was fouled by Pars keeper Deniz Mehmet in the box, Shankland, who recently penned a new three-year deal after running down his contract, slotted in the penalty – as he did again three minutes later after substitute Elton Kabangu was brought down by Pars skipper Kyle Benedictus.

Another substitute, Stephen Kingsley, volleyed in a fourth in the first minute of added time.

It was a mixed opening day of the season day for William Hill Premiership clubs.

Steven Pressley got off to a nightmare start as new Dundee boss with a shock 1-0 home defeat by Airdrieonians.

Chris Mochrie raced behind the home defence in the 22nd minute of the opening group game to beat Dark Blues keeper Trevor Carson with a fine finish and it was a deserved win for the Championship outfit.

It was a better start for Kilmarnock’s new boss Stuart Kettlewell with a 2-0 win away to Brora Rangers of the Highland League.

Killie broke the deadlock in the 39th minute through 18-year-old debutant midfielder Ben Brannan and Djenairo Daniels, the new Dutch striker from Cork City also making his debut, doubled the visitors’ lead in the 80th minute lead with a low drive.

Jens Berthel Askou’s first game in charge of Motherwell got off to a negative start against Clyde at New Douglas Park and in the end he had to be content with a 2-2 draw.

Clyde striker James Hilton put the League Two side ahead after 16 minutes with a goal from distance with Well keeper Calum Ward off his line.

Fir Park attacker Tawanda Maswanhise levelled five minutes later after the ball had crashed off the bar then scored his second of the game early in the second half only for Liam Scullion to level in the 53rd minute with a header. Well took the bonus point with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win.

Newly-promoted Falkirk ran riot with a 7-0 win away to Brechin, with Dylan Tait grabbing a hat-trick.

The Bairns led 4-0 interval lead through a brace from Scott Arfield, his second from the spot, and goals from Tait and Alfie Agyeman.

Tait struck twice more after the break before Ross MacIver notched the seventh in added time.

Livingston, who return to the top flight this season, took the lead the lead at East Fife just on half-time through Robbie Muirhead.

Hearts loanee Macaulay Tait added a second early in the second half before Patrick Slattery reduced the deficit in the 55th minute but David Martindale’s men held out, with the home side’s Mamadou Bah sent off for a second bookable offence deep into added time.

There was drama in St Mirren’s trip to Championship side Arbroath when Stephen Robinson’s side were held to a goalless draw.

Saints captain Mark O’Hara was sent off in the 88th minute after picking up a second yellow card with the top-flight Paisley men losing the penalty shoot-out 5-3, the home side taking the bonus point.