Rangers displayed their title credentials by claiming an emphatic victory in the first Old Firm derby of the season.

A double from Nacho Novo and a Barry Ferguson goal secured the win which allowed Rangers to move level with rivals Celtic in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Walter Smith had claimed last season's derby victories meant nothing because Celtic were already Scottish champions in waiting by then.

But today's result could prove significant in what looks set to be one of the closest title races in years.

Rangers and Celtic both received injury boosts ahead of today's clash at Ibrox, with goalkeeper Allan McGregor, Alan Hutton, Scott Brown and Gary Caldwell all back in action despite having to withdraw from international duty.

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan had expressed fears that fans would be short-changed because players from both sides would be suffering fatigue following Scotland's double-headers against Ukraine and Georgia.

Instead, with an electric atmosphere acting as the back-drop, the opening exchanges suggested this game was set to be another Old Firm classic.

The first chance of the match fell to Celtic when Scott McDonald, in the lone striker role, tried his luck with an audacious overhead kick which McGregor tipped just wide.

Then, in keeping with the highly-charged atmosphere surrounding these fixtures, a melee involving players from both sides broke out in the goalmouth at the resultant corner but referee Mike McCurry brandished just one yellow card, to McDonald, with five minutes gone.

At the other end, Charlie Adam exchanged a one-two with Novo before charging towards goal but he was crowded out by Caldwell and the chance was lost.

Rangers then found themselves under pressure when David Weir fouled Shunsuke Nakamura just outside the box and the Japan international stepped up for the free-kick.

Despite carving out a reputation as a deadball specialist, Nakamura blasted well over the crossbar to the jeers of the home crowd.

McDonald then drew a decent save from McGregor with a snapshot from the right flank, as Celtic pressed for the opener.

Massimo Donati followed McDonald into the referee's book for hacking down Alan Hutton after 25 minutes before Rangers surged into the lead two minutes later.

This time there was no-one to stop Hutton's blistering run down the right and the full-back's cross was met by Novo, who burst into the box and sent a diving header past Artur Boruc from six yards.

Brown became the third Celtic player to be cautioned for a challenge on Sasa Papac, before McGregor was again called into action to tip a thunderous 35-yard drive from Jiri Jarosik just over.

There was a further blow for Celtic shortly before the break when skipper Stephen McManus left the pitch on a stretcher.

He had taken a head knock for his country at Hampden last Saturday and again suffered a sickening clash of heads with Daniel Cousin, before being replaced by John Kennedy.

Celtic were out of the traps quickly after the break, Jarosik firing just wide before Caldwell tested McGregor with a decent effort.

Instead, it was Rangers who found the back of the net again with 56 minutes gone.

Lee McCulloch's shot was blocked by Darren O'Dea but the rebound broke to Ferguson and the Rangers skipper gleefully rifled home from 12 yards.

Nakamura was then withdrawn for Aiden McGeady, who was booked within two minutes of being on the pitch, along with fellow substitute Kennedy, who had been cautioned shortly after the restart.

The yellow cards were stacking up for Celtic and Jarosik took the crime count to six when he was cautioned for a foul on Weir.

Donati then squandered a great chance to haul Celtic back into the game with a bullet header, which looked to have McGregor beaten, but sneaked past the goalkeeper's right-hand post.

However, there was to be no way back for the Hoops when Evander Sno tripped Adam in the box and Novo lashed home his second of the day from the penalty spot after 78 minutes.

Ibrox gave the Spanish striker a standing ovation when he left the pitch seconds later for Steven Naismith, while Celtic fans headed for the exits.

The match then ended the way it had started with a scrap involving several players from both sides, ensuring a fiery climax to this most explosive of fixtures as McGregor, Hutton, Boruc, Lee Naylor and O'Dea all went into the referee's book.

Previews for the weekend's other SPL games:

(Current league positions in brackets)

SATURDAY

Falkirk (9) v Kilmarnock (7)

Falkirk defender Jack Ross will be missing, but the Bairns vice-captain is back running and does not need surgery on a suspected double hernia. Austrian striker Roman Wallner could feature after a run of impressive reserve team displays.

Kilmarnock could welcome back Rhian Dodds after ankle ligament problems, Gary Wales has recovered from a foot injury, Danny Invincibile's groin problem has cleared up and Eric Skora has returned to training after a knee injury. Ryan O'Leary is also free of suspension. Grant Murray, David Fernandez and Allan Johnston (all knee) are sidelined, as are Garry Hay and Ryan Jarvis (both hamstring).

Last season: Falkirk 0 Kilmarnock 2, Kilmarnock 2 Falkirk 1

Falkirk 1 Kilmarnock 2

Last five league matches: Falkirk L D W L L; Kilmarnock L W D L D

Top scorers: Michael Higdon (Falkirk) 4; Colin Nish (Kilmarnock) 4

Referee: A Freeland (Scotland).

Hearts (5) v Dundee Utd (4)

Hearts winger Saulius Mikoliunas is hoping to recover from a hamstring strain in time to play. The Lithuanian may be joined by striker Mauricio Pinilla, in line to make his first start of the season after a wrist injury. Defender Tomas Kancelskis is a doubt with an ankle knock.

Dundee United striker Jon Daly may make his first appearance of the season, after five months out with a cruciate ligament tear. Defender Garry Kenneth has recovered from a minor knee injury he sustained playing for the Scotland Under-21 side, but David Goodwillie is out with a sore hamstring, along with goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska (foot), Craig Conway (foot), David Robertson (hernia) and Keith Watson (knee).

Last season: Hearts 0 Dundee Utd 4, Dundee Utd 0 Hearts 1

Hearts 4 Dundee Utd 0

Last five league matches: Hearts W W L W W; Dundee Utd W W L L W

Top scorers: Andrius Velicka, Andrew Driver & Michael Stewart (Hearts) 3; Noel Hunt (Dundee Utd) 4

Referee: C Thomson (Scotland).

Motherwell (6) v Hibernian (2)

Motherwell have a fully fit squad. Striker Ross McCormack suffered a minor knock playing for Scotland Under-21s last week but has fully recovered. Phil O'Donnell will be pushing for a place in the starting line-up, after returning from a groin injury as a late substitute against Dundee United.

Hibernian midfielder Guillaume Beuzelin is unavailable after undergoing a minor knee operation during the international break. Striker Steven Fletcher pulled out of the Scotland Under-21 friendly against Holland this week with a knee problem but is expected to be fit.

Last season: Hibernian 2 Motherwell 0, Motherwell 1 Hibernian 6

Hibernian 3 Motherwell 1

Last five league matches: Motherwell L W L D L; Hibernian W D W W W

Top scorers: Chris Porter (Motherwell) 5; Steven Fletcher & Clayton Donaldson (Hibernian) 5

Referee: C Richmond (Scotland).

Rangers (3) v Celtic (1)

Scotland internationals Allan McGregor and Alan Hutton have been passed fit to line up for Rangers. Goalkeeper McGregor had been suffering with a shoulder injury, while right-back Hutton [pictured] had a calf problem. Rangers have doubts over Brahim Hemdani (groin), Jean-Claude Darcheville (hamstring) and DaMarcus Beasley (ankle).

Celtic striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and midfielder Paul Hartley are extremely doubtful with hamstring injuries, the same problem that could also keep Scott Brown on the sidelines. Gary Caldwell (knee) is back in training and could feature, stepping in as right-backs Jean-Joel Perrier Doumbe (Achilles), Mark Wilson (knee) and Paul Caddis are all out. Striker Maciej Zurawski is in the frame for a return.

Last season: Rangers 2 Celtic 0, Celtic 0 Rangers 1

Rangers 1 Celtic 1, Celtic 2 Rangers 0

Last five league matches: Rangers W L W D L; Celtic W W L W W

Top scorers: Kris Boyd (Rangers) 6; Scott McDonald (Celtic) 8

Referee: M McCurry (Scotland).

St Mirren (11) v Gretna (12)

St Mirren welcome back Craig Molloy, Eddie Malone and Alan Reid. Molloy has fully recovered from a foot injury, while Malone and Reid and over knee and hamstring problems respectively. Striker Craig Dargo and defender Ian Maxwell both remain out and continue to recover from knee injuries.

Gretna will be without defenders Aurelien Collin and Martin Canning (both knee). Midfielder Ryan McGuffie is set to return from injury, while veteran goalkeeper Tony Caig is challenging for Greg Fleming's place.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: St Mirren L L D L L; Gretna L L W L L

Top scorers: Franco Miranda & Mark Corcoran (St Mirren) 2; Fabian Yantorno (Gretna) 3

Referee: M Tumilty (Scotland).

SUNDAY

Inverness CT (10) v Aberdeen (8)

Long-term absentees Markus Paatelainen (Achilles), Rory McAllister (foot) and Steven Watt (ankle) remain absent, and midfielder Richie Hart remains suspended by the club follow his drugs possession conviction. Player-manager Craig Brewster could return to the attack to face his old club after recovering from a shoulder injury.

Aberdeen first-team contenders Jamie Smith (hamstring), Chris Clark (Achilles), Michael Hart (tonsils) and Derek Soutar (foot) are all out. Darren Mackie should be fit after he suffered a muscle strain, but Andrew Considine is a doubt.

Last season: Aberdeen 1 Inverness CT 1, Inverness CT 1 Aberdeen 1

Aberdeen 1 Inverness CT 1

Last five league matches: Inverness CT L L W W D; Aberdeen W L L W W

Top scorers: Dennis Wyness (Inverness CT) 5; Lee Miller & Jamie Smith (Aberdeen) 3

Referee: E Smith (Scotland).

SportingLife / Eurosport