Kenny Miller scored a 90th minute winner as a 2-1 success over Hamilton at New Douglas Park on Saturday maintained Rangers’ perfect record this season.
Nikica Jelavic scored his first goal for the Gers early on, but a Madjid Bougherra own goal had them on the back foot and Miller was needed to come from the bench and ensure a fourth Scottish Premier League win from four for Walter Smith’s men.
Despite Miller and several other big names being left on the bench ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League game at Manchester United, the Gers were in front after just six minutes. Kyle Lafferty dinked his way past Andy Graham and tore away down the left flank before crossing to the back post where Jelavic steered home a header from ten yards.
The Accies did not let their heads drop after that early setback though and they went very close when Marco Paixao rifled an audacious effort goalward from way out. Allan McGregor had to tip that one over the bar and he then also made a second save to keep out a Jon Routledge effort that could have deceived him via a deflection.
Jelavic then chanced getting a second from a Maurice Edu pass but saw his shot blocked before Hamilton’s Nigel Hasselbaink – nephew of former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd – made a mess of an effort from distance.
Rangers lost Scotland defender Kirk Broadfoot just before the break, his substitution allowing Richard Foster to come on for his debut, his side holding on to their 1-0 lead until half-time.
However, it was eroded 11 minutes into the second half as the Lanarkshire club got their reward for putting the champions under some heavy pressure, and Bougherra put the ball into his own net.
Marco Paixao collected the ball on the left wing from twin brother Flavio and his dangerous cross led to the sliding Algerian defender turning it past his own goalkeeper McGregor.
Steven Naismith tried to quickly restore Rangers’ lead but his fierce drive was held by Tomas Cerny, while for Hamilton Flavio Paixao danced away from Sasa Papac and Bougherra and saw an ambitious curled effort deflect just wide, with McGregor beaten.
Miller came on for Lafferty as Smith sensed the game getting away from his side, though it was Jelavic who next went close and Cerny did very well to deny the Croatian with his legs.
Rangers continued to search for the winner with Steven Davis shooting wide from long range, but it looked like their one hundred percent record was about to end.
However, with the game entering its final minute Miller won the day, the Scotland ace following up his midweek goal against Liechtenstein by latching onto fellow sub Lee McCulloch’s through-ball and lobbing the ball just over Cerny and over the line.