Walter Smith believes overcoming adversity to triumph in the first Old Firm derby of the season could be exactly what Rangers need to finally kick-start their season.

The Scottish champions claimed a 2-1 win thanks to an early double from Kenny Miller, with Aiden McGeady's penalty not enough to prevent Tony Mowbray suffering defeat in his first clash with Rangers since taking over as Celtic boss.

It was an unfamiliar side named by Smith, with both Madjid Bougherra and Lee McCulloch out with flu and Kevin Thomson sidelined with a knee problem.

Sasa Papac was asked to deputise in the heart of defence along with David Weir, while youngster Andrew Little earned his first Old Firm start before limping off early on with a hamstring pull.

Kris Boyd was also forced out of the action after suffering concussion in a clash of heads with Landry N'Guemo but Rangers somehow managed to hold on to their advantage and slash Celtic's lead at the summit of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League to a single point.

"I feel we have had a slow start to the season as I've mentioned on a number of occasions," said Smith. "We probably needed a game like that to, hopefully, kick-start our season. We've got Celtic back to a point now but it's no use unless we carry that on to the next lot of games we have."