Ally McCoist picked up his first Old Firm derby win as Rangers manager then claimed the enthralling 4-2 victory was not about him.

The former striker boasted plenty of experience in the fixture as a player and as assistant to former boss Walter Smith before taking over the helm at the end of last season. And he was the happier of the two managers after Hoops boss Neil Lennon watched his side reduced to 10 men and return to Parkhead empty-handed.

McCoist said: “It’s not about me – it’s about the players and getting the three points for the fans. That’s the most important thing.

He added: “You can prepare and do your planning before the game and hope things go to plan but the most important thing was winning the game and I thought we deserved it.”

Steven Naismith set the ball rolling with a superb opener that was cancelled out by an equally impressive goal from Gary Hooper, before Badr El Kaddouri took advantage of an Allan McGregor blunder to mark his Old Firm debut with a goal.

Rangers fought back through goals from Nikica Jelavic and Kyle Lafferty before Naismith put the gloss on the win with an injury-time strike, after Charlie Mulgrew saw red for the visitors.

The win allowed the Scottish champions to move four points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

McCoist added: “As big a three points as it is, it’s only three points.

“It’s the first Old Firm game of the season and it was a terrific game and I’m a lot happier tonight than Neil and his boys will be.

“But I’ve been around the block in Old Firm games long enough to know that it’s swings and roundabouts. (The) three points were well-earned and they are a big three points – but no more than that.”