GARY MCALLISTER reckons Rangers' team spirit shone through as the champions landed the first Old Firm blow of the campaign against Celtic.

A Filip Helander header clinched a deserved derby victory at Ibrox and moved Rangers three points clear of Ange Postecoglou's side as the new Parkhead boss lost his second league clash of the campaign.

McAllister once again led from the front whilst manager Steven Gerrard isolated at home and a depleted Rangers squad rallied to the cause in the face of their Covid adversity.

The Light Blues have come in for criticism in recent weeks but Old Firm victory could prove to be a significant moment as they attempt to kickstart their title defence after the international break.

McAllister told RangersTV: “You know as well as I do that we’ve had a real tough four or five days. Loads of stuff happening around the club, around the players, around the staff.

“But you saw a coming together of a football club, a big football club.

“Right from the very top, the chairman, to the people who help us at the training ground and I’ve got to say, the fans were pretty special as well.

“So when clubs like this do come together and perform like that… because we were more recognisable today, in possession excellent at times, out of possession very good and heard to break down although Celtic had moments.

“It was an open game and we were fortunate to come out the winners. But that was more like it.

"There has a been a wee bit of criticism flying around. Lots of stuff and the difficulties were there to be seen. But everybody is coming together and we’re delighted.

"The players can go away and reflect on this game. When they look back at the highlights and look back at the game, they’ll see that’s the sort of levels we’ve stood for in the last couple of seasons – especially last season.

"Out of possession and in possession, I thought we were excellent today."