On 58 minutes the official awarded a penalty to the visitors after Steven Naismith had been tackled by Ross Tokely but the defender, who was also sent off, appeared to win the ball.
Nikica Jelavic made no mistake and with 24 minutes left to play the Croatian had another chance to score from the spot after man-of-the-match Dorin Goian had been brought down by substitute Tom Aldred.
Esson made a fine stop from the Croatian’s initial effort but Mo Edu was there to blast home the rebound and secure all three points for the Champions.
The second-half drama was not finished there though as the American midfielder also saw red for a second bookable offence in this pulsating fixture.
Jamie Ness made an impressive return to Rangers’ midfield in the place of the injured Lee McCulloch, while Goian was also back for the Light Blues alongside Kyle Bartley in the heart of defence.
With Steven Whittaker, Davie Weir and Sasa Papac also missing in defence Kirk Broadfoot slotted in to the team at right back with Lee Wallace on the left.
In front of them Ness was utilised as a holding midfielder with a trio of Steven Davis, Mo Edu and Juanma Ortiz in front of him and Naismith and Jelavic in attack.
The early signs were good for the Light Blues who immediately pushed forward with intent from the ref’s first whistle.
After just three minutes Ness played the ball down the left wing to the marauding Wallace but his cross had too much pace for Jelavic who couldn’t connect with the ball with his outstretched right boot.
Just 60 seconds later and it was Davis this time who played a similar raking pass out to Ortiz who had found space behind Caley full back Thomas Piermayr.
His first time cross was perfect for the Gers number nine who fired the ball in to the net but the Main Stand linesman had already raised his flag for offside.
It was proving a difficult start to the game for Austrian defender Piermayr who was booked with just four minutes on the clock for a poor challenge on Ortiz on the half way line.
But having come through a shaky start unscathed Caley then pushed up the park and a powerful 25 yard drive from Welshman Tudur Jones was blocked by Edu before it could reach McGregor.
On 21 minutes the Highland Jags then showed their threat again with a swift counter attack.
Johhny Hayes used his blistering pace to sprint clear of Lee Wallace down the right and his ball inside found Aaron Doran who was being chased by both Bartley and Goian.
Caley’s no 23 elected to attempt an ambitious first time shot from 20 yards which was easily gathered by McGregor when he perhaps should have taken a touch to compose himself.
As expected Butcher’s men were showing plenty of commitment with Richie Foran a handful up top while Tokely had the Caley fans out of their seats before the half hour mark after he won a crunching 50/50 challenge with Naismith.
On 34 minutes McCoist had to make an enforced change to his side when Bartley, who had been booked for a late tackle on Gregory Tade, signalled to the bench that he was injured and he was replaced by Scotland under-21 starlet Ross Perry who was making his competitive debut.
With the first 45 minutes coming to an end Rangers upped the tempo with Edu making a strong run in to the 18 yard box but Jelavic could not get enough power on his header from the American’s dinked cross.
Broadfoot then sent in a dipping delivery from the right but the ball flew across the face of goal with no takers.
At the other end Caley almost got their noses in front when Doran produced a teasing cross from the right and Foran could only punch the ground in frustration after failing to divert the ball in to the net from just five yards.
Despite the swirling wind both teams managed to serve up an entertaining 45 minutes before the break but in the second half it was Rangers who shifted through the gears.
On 52 minutes McCoist had another injury scare when Goian clashed heads with Gregory Tade. Thankfully the Romanian was back to his feet quickly.
And before the hour mark the game burst in to life when Rangers took the lead in controversial circumstances.
Naismith received the ball in the 18-yard box and Tokely produced a scissor challenge on the forward but appeared to win the ball.
Norris stunned the home support by pointing to the penalty spot before sending off the bewildered defender.
Jelavic, however, showed little sympathy as he powered his shot past Esson who dived the wrong way.
With Tokely off Butcher had to change his system with Aldred replacing Tade and it was not long before Nick Ross was also on for the injured Tudur Jones.
On 66 minutes Rangers doubled their advantage and again the ref was in the thick of things, pointing to the spot for a second time after Goian had been bundled to the ground by substitute Aldred.
Esson this time dived to his left to deny Jelavic with an excellent stop but Edu was there to hammer in the rebound in front of the jubilant Bears.
On 75 minutes the second half produced another talking point when Edu fouled Ross and the referee sent the Gers scorer off for a second bookable offence.
At this stage, however, Rangers were in control and Naismith almost made it three when he darted in to the box but his toe-poked effort went inches wide of the far post.
Terry Butcher will no doubt feel aggrieved at the way Rangers got their noses in front in this game after his side had put so much effort in up to that point.
But Ally McCoist will be delighted with the resilience his side displayed after the interval and it was an important three points to collect at one of the toughest venues in the SPL.
Man of the Match: Dorin Goian – A composed and solid display from the big defender who already looks settled in the Gers backline.