McCoist downplays Old Firm triumph

Rangers manager Ally McCoist played down the significance of his side’s 4-2 defeat of Celtic in the first Old Firm game of the season as Rangers took the early initiative in the Scottish Premier League title race.

The Ibrox club continued their unbeaten start to the season as they scored three second-half goals to come from behind and open a four-point lead over their Glasgow rivals.

McCoist said only time would tell how much of a boost the result would give his men but he refused to get carried away in the euphoria of victory.

“It was certainly a massive performance from us in the second-half but it is only three points,” the Rangers manager said.

“It’s the first Old Firm game of the season and it was a terrific game. Obviously I’m a lot happier tonight than Neil Lennon and his boys will be but I’ve been around the block in Old Firm games long enough to know it’s swings and roundabouts.

“This was a well-earned three points and a big three points but no more than that.”

The Rangers boss is the veteran of countless Old Firm encounters as a player and assistant manager to Walter Smith but the match at Ibrox was his first derby in charge.

“It’s not about me,” the Rangers manager added. “It’s about the players and getting those three points for the fans; that’s the most important .

“Obviously you can prepare and do your planning before the game and hopefully things go to plan. But the most important thing was winning the game and I thought we deserved that.