Smith is relieved to have cut Celtic's lead at the top of the league

Rangers manager Walter Smith expressed relief after winning the first Old Firm derby of the season to narrow the gap on leaders Celtic to a single point.

"We're happy with the result - that was the most important thing," Smith told BBC Scotland after the 2-1 win.

"To have fallen further behind Celtic would have been awkward for us.

"In the second half, territorially, Celtic pushed us back a bit. We had some terrific opportunities on the break and didn't take them."

The Ibrox boss watched the match from the Ibrox main stand as he began the first of a four-match touchline ban.

And from that vantage point he did not fail to notice how Celtic's formation was causing his own team problems.

"Celtic had the edge because they had the extra man in midfield in the first half of the game and we levelled that up and finished the half fairly strongly," Smith added.

"In the first half we had some good possession. The second half was a little bit frustrating for us.

"If we had reached a level of good possession, then we could have damaged Celtic due to the simple fact that they were trying to push forward to get on level terms."

Two early goals by Kenny Miller put the Light Blues in a strong position, but Celtic pulled one back through Aiden McGeady and the remainder of the match was keenly fought as the visitors pushed for an equaliser.

Additional demands will be placed on the Rangers treatment room in the coming week as two more players left the field nursing injuries.

"Andrew Little pulled his hamstring in the first minute of the game, which for a young lad is not the best. That was part and parcel of our woes going into the game," said Smith.

"And Kris Boyd took a nasty knock on his eye. They think he has a slight concussion and they'll check there is no damage to his eye. You can't be too careful with these things."

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