Prior to kick-off it was clear that Walter Smith had problems in terms of personnel which made this result even more enjoyable for the Bluenoses that packed the stadium on this glorious day.
Northern Irish youngster Andy Little was handed his first start as the gaffer was forced to dramatically revamp his team due to injuries and illness.
But the right-back’s afternoon was to be cut short after he picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Nacho Novo on 12 minutes.
With Bougherra and McCulloch out with the flu the Gers’ backline was makeshift for kick-off with Sasa Papac playing at centre-half and Stevie Whittaker moving to left back.
There were further changes in midfield too with Kevin Thomson out as a result of soreness in his knee and Stevie Smith featuring on the left side of midfield.
Stevie Naismith started on the right with Pedro Mendes and Steve Davis in the centre while Kris Boyd and Miller were re-united up front for a match their side really had to win.
The other big news was that Kyle Lafferty made the bench for the first derby of the season.
Celtic went with a surprise 4-5-1 formation, spearheaded by lone striker Scott McDonald, with Zheng Zhi playing just behind him in the playmaking role.
Over the years there have been many dramatic starts to Old Firm games and the opening half hour of this one was typically pulsating.
With Rangers recording three consecutive goalless draws in their previous SPL games they needed to strike early in this one and they did just that through Miller.
Boyd found his teammate with a defence splitting pass and with only Boruc to beat the striker’s right foot shot may have lacked power but it had the accuracy to beat the Pole.
On 12 minutes Celtic looked for a penalty when Maloney was challenged by Weir but Craig Thomson let play continue when, having seen the TV replays, it was stone waller.
At this stage it was clear that Little was struggling with a knock and it was not long before the youngster was replaced by Novo.
Maloney was to receive the first yellow card of the match when he was again adjudged to have taken a dive in the box following another tackle from Weir. This time the decision from the ref appeared to be correct.
With Rangers looking positive going forward they doubled their advantage on 15 minutes, again through the lively Miller.
A long kick-out from McGregor was missed by Boyd and when Miller challenged Loovens for the bouncing ball it fell perfectly in to his path.
From 16 yards Kenny managed to send it goalwards and although Boruc got his hand to the ball it nestled in the corner of the net.
Although Rangers were in front Celtic were still pushing forward with intent and enjoying a lot of possession.
The warning signs were there and on 25 minutes a penalty was finally awarded when Papac brought Zhi to the ground with a clumsy challenge.
McGeady stepped up and Allan McGregor was left punching the ground in frustration as he got his hand to the ball but could not stop it finding the net.
Before this enthralling half had come to an end Walter Smith had to make his second enforced change with Boyd coming off with what appeared to be a head injury and Lafferty being introduced.
The second-half again started at a break neck speed and with Celtic enjoying so much of the ball Steven Naismith dropped in to midfield to leave Lafferty as the lone striker.
Once again the tackles were flying in and Mendes found his way in to Thomson’s book for a foul on McGeady while McDonald was left writhing in agony after a late challenge by Weir.
Miller was a constant threat in this game and he was close to bagging a hat-trick on 54 minutes when Naismith played him in on the left and his curling effort went narrowly wide of Boruc’s far post.
At the other end a McDonald shot from 18 yards had power but was straight at McGregor.
There was to be further controversy on 66 minutes when Mark Wilson fell in the box and again the ref had a penalty decision to make.
He elected to book the visitor’s right-back who got to his feet bemused at the decision. Tony Mowbray and Peter Grant looked equally frustrated in the away dug-out.
With just over 20 minutes remaining Paddy McCourt was given the chance to influence an intriguing battle which Craig Thomson, at times, struggled to control.
Rangers were clinging on to their lead with Celtic pushing everyone forward and the home side failing to hold on to the ball and create chances in the last third.
On 73 minutes there was more danger when McCourt found Wilson on the right and his teasing cross was put wide by Maloney from only six yards.
At the other end Brown was next up to receive a yellow card after he sent Novo flying through the air with a dangerous tackle and putting a halt to a promising counter attack.
In to the last ten minutes and Loovens suffered a similar fate for a poor tackle on Miller before Novo was guilty of missing a great chance.
Miller played the ball over the Celtic backline and the Spaniard’s attempted lob was put out for a corner by Boruc at full stretch.
In the end Rangers battled to the final whistle and full credit must go to David Weir and Sasa Papac in particular.
Despite so much pressure they were immense and, along with all their teammates, put so much effort in to this remarkable Old Firm clash.