Miller - three points key, not display

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Rangers striker Kenny Miller insists the result was all that mattered as their 3-1 win over St Mirren allowed them to move back into pole position in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

The pressure was on the Scottish champions to produce the goods after Celtic's breathtaking 9-0 win over Aberdeen 24 hours earlier.

Miller knows Rangers were far from their best in Paisley yesterday but believes that, on this occasion, the points were far more important than the performance as they leapfrogged their Old Firm rivals back into top spot.

He said: "It was a freak result at Parkhead - 9-0 is an incredible scoreline at any level.

"But with them going back to the top of the table, it was up to us to get the three points to leapfrog them and that was the main thing.

"It's always a tough place to come. We played St Mirren six times last season and I don't think there was a decent game among them. We seem to find it hard coming here.

"Whether it is coming off the back of a Champions League game, I'm not sure, but it was important to get the result after Celtic won on Saturday.

"We are delighted with the result, but the display could have been better."

Miller refused to use the noon kick-off just a few days after a tough Champions League game in Valencia as an excuse.

He added: "We are used to every second Sunday, whether it be noon, 12.30pm or 2pm or 3pm.

"I feel fine. The gaffer and the coaches look after us and give us the required rest. Anyway, we would much rather be playing games than training, so it is not as issue for us."

A Marc McAusland own goal set the ball rolling on a 20-minute spell that also saw Steven Naismith and Miller add their names to the scoresheet, before Michael Higdon netted a consolation goal for Saints from the penalty spot.

Miller's strike brought his tally for Rangers this season to 14 goals so far.

He said: "There is no doubt I am on course for my best total in a season as it's been a good start to the season.

"I have to be honest and say that I was disappointed with the way I played. I felt as though I was off the pace a wee bit.

"Of course, I was delighted with the three points for the team and with the goal that I scored, but I was a bit disappointed.

"But if you don't score goals, you get judged on that. When you do score goals, you get judged on your performance!

"I'm happy I have a decent amount of goals and I want to keep that going, but I also want to improve my level of performance."

The result left St Mirren joint-bottom but manager Danny Lennon said: "A big thing for me is there were a lot of positives in this game.

"We kept our shape throughout and it's a platform for us to build on."