Celtic 2 Rangers 4: Kenny Miller returned to haunt Celtic as the first two goals of his second spell at Rangers helped the Ibrox club achieve a comprehensive win in the first Old Firm derby of the season.

The former Hoops frontman's double took Rangers to the top of the Scottish Premier League, with Daniel Cousin and Pedro Mendes also scoring for the visitors to Parkhead.

Georgios Samaras had cancelled out Cousin's strike to take the teams to the interval level on level terms, but Miller — whose first goal as a Celtic player had been against Rangers — scored either side of a wonderful volley by Pedro Mendes before Shunsuke Nakamura fired in an injury-time consolation.

Both sides finished with 10 men, after red cards for Cousin and Celtic substitute Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Mendes and defender Madjid Bougherra made their Old Firm debuts, with Miller starting up front alongside Cousin as the visitors pressed in the opening minutes.

Cousin sparked the game into life in the 36th minute when, with no real sign of a breakthrough, he put the visitors ahead with a fine solo goal. Mendes sent a looping ball up the right-hand side and the Rangers striker raced past Hoops left-back Mark Wilson with some ease, drove into the box and drilled an angled shot inside Artur Boruc and the post.

But two minutes later Celtic were level when Aiden McGeady's cross into the six-yard box was missed by David Weir and came off the hapless Sasa Papac straight to the feet of Samaras, who gleefully knocked it past Allan McGregor.

The two goals took the sides into the interval level but the high tempo continued after the break with both sides quickly back into battle mode.

In the 51st minute, Rangers forged ahead for the second time through Miller.

After Cousin had been foiled at the edge of the box, the ball fell to Thomson who curled it to the far side of the box to Miller whose volley from 14 yards bounced once before zipping past Boruc at the far post.

Pandemonium ensued as Miller and most of the Rangers players headed for the corner to celebrate with the Light Blues' fans.

Then, in the 61st minute, there was more drama when Rangers went further ahead with an incredible strike from Mendes. The Portugal international, unmarked 30 yards from goal, lined up a Steven Davis corner and unleashed a first time shot which sped past everyone in the packed penalty area to beat Boruc.

The champions looked stunned and boss Gordon Strachan brought on Vennegoor of Hesselink and Barry Robson for Samaras and Paul Hartley.

In the 75th minute, Cousin, booked earlier for persistent fouling, was shown another yellow then a red after clashing with McManus in an aerial battle. Then Vennegoor of Hesselink was shown a straight red for an apparent kick at Broadfoot.

The excitement was not finished as Boruc fumbled a Broadfoot cross allowing Miller the easiest of chances to prod the ball into the empty net for number four.

Wilson drew a fine save from McGregor with a drive from 25 yards before being replaced by Ben Hutchinson but by then the points and plaudits were destined for Ibrox.

In the first minute of injury time Nakamura was fouled at the edge of the box by Weir and the Japan international fired in a consolation from the free-kick.