Steven Whittaker and Kris Boyd helped themselves to a double apiece as Rangers romped to a comfortable 4-1 win over Hamilton in the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League.

The pair both netted either side of half-time to ensure the Scottish champions remain at the summit with a 100% record.

Accies did manage to pull a goal back late on through Mark McLaughlin, however their dismal start to the season continues as they remain bottom of the SPL having already conceded 10 goals.

Boyd's last-gasp winner from the penalty spot against Hearts last week earned him a starting role along with Pedro Mendes, who made his first appearance of the season after recovering from a thigh strain.

Accies made three changes from the side who suffered a shock Co-operative Insurance Cup exit to Ross County in midweek. In came new signing Gary Mason, Derek Lyle and Kevin Welsh; out went Izzy Iriekpen, Grant Evans and Leon Knight as Hamilton searched for their first win of the season.

The visitors could have been forgiven for heading into this game with a sense of trepidation. As well as their poor start to the season, they also shipped an astonishing 18 goals in their five meetings with Rangers last term.

Rangers immediately piled on the pressure with Steven Davis racing onto a long ball from Mendes and surging into the box only for his first effort to be blocked by goalkeeper Tomas Cerny and his second attempt rippling the side-netting.

The Northern Ireland international then had another decent chance when he found himself clear on goal a few moments later only to sidefoot a weak shot into the arms of the Accies goalkeeper.

Hamilton found themselves trailing after 19 minutes and Davis was involved once again, setting up Whittaker to coolly slot past the helpless Cerny as Ibrox erupted.

Rangers doubled their advantage with 27 minutes gone when a Sasa Papac cross was inadvertently nodded back into the packed goalmouth by Simon Mensing and Boyd was waiting to send a looping header into the back of the net.

The match could have been over within seconds of the restart when Kenny Miller whipped an inviting ball across the face of goal to Madjid Bougherra at the far post but he hooked harmlessly over.

The defender was then fuming at the other end of the pitch when referee Stevie O'Reilly deemed he had fouled Luis Rubiales on the edge of the box and handed Accies the opportunity to apply some pressure of their own.

Allan McGregor managed to block from Lyle's free-kick but the goalkeeper was left flapping at a cross from James McArthur before his defence eventually cleared the danger.

Any hopes of an Accies comeback were dashed after 65 minutes when Davis found Steven Naismith out on the left and his cut-back was met by Boyd who lashed home from 10 yards.

Not to be outdone, Whittaker grabbed his second of the day in style just two minutes later. He played a one-two with Davis before dispatching a terrific curving shot past Cerny from 22 yards.

With the three points already in the bag, Rangers had the luxury of making a couple of changes in the latter stages.

Nacho Novo was given his first taste of action this season after missing the opening two matches with a dislocated shoulder, before youngster Gregg Wylde was handed his first-team debut when he replaced Miller for the final 10 minutes.

Hamilton did manage to pull a goal back with three minutes to go when McLaughlin nodded home from a Rubiales corner but it was scant consolation for a team still looking to put points on the board this season.

Teams:

Rangers McGregor, Whittaker, Bougherra, Weir, Papac, Davis,McCulloch, Mendes, Naismith (Novo 73), Boyd, Miller (Wylde 81).

Subs Not Used: Alexander, Beasley, Smith, Fleck, Ness.

Goals: Whittaker 19, Boyd 27, 65, Whittaker 67.

Hamilton Cerny, Welsh (Louhoungu 46), Canning, McLaughlin,Rubiales, Lyle, Wesolowski, Mason (Wilkie 77), McArthur,Mensing, Marco Paixao (Knight 56).

Subs Not Used: Murdoch, Evans, Andrews, Elebert.

Booked: Knight.

Goals: McLaughlin 87.

Att: 47,633

Ref: S O'Reilly (Scotland).