RANGERS got their Premiership title bid off to a faltering start as they were held at home by Hamilton.

Mark Warburton’s side had to come from behind to earn a point on their top flight return as Accies stood firm at Ibrox.

Midfielder Ali Crawford gave the visitors the lead with a superb first half strike before Martyn Waghorn pulled them level after the break.

It was far from the start to the season that Warburton had hoped for and there was concern for the Gers boss late on as Waghorn hobbled off with an injury.

A packed Ibrox welcomed Warburton’s side onto the park before kick-off as a card display in the Sandy Jardine Stand proclaimed the Gers were ‘Going for 55’ on their top flight return.

After SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster was greeted with a chorus of boos, Dave King unfurled the Championship flag and the new league campaign got off and running.

Rangers almost made the perfect start when James Tavernier and Kenny Miller combined to send Waghorn free down the right flank. Miller would convert Waghorn’s cross from a tight angle but the ball was already out of play.

It was a bright start from Rangers and Andy Halliday would test Remi Matthews just seconds later with a curling effort but Accies were able to withstand the pressure as they grew into the game.

A long range effort from Rob Kiernan was all Rangers could muster before Ibrox was stunned as Crawford netted the first goal of the new Premiership campaign.

Clint Hill failed to clear a cross from the left and Crawford easily turned away from Niko Kranjcar before he curled a superb effort into the top corner of Wes Foderingham’s net.

A roar from the home fans spurred Rangers back into action but they would head for the dressing room still trailing, with a Waghorn free-kick that clipped the post the closest Warburton’s side came to netting.

The striker would have the Gers’ first chance after the restart when as his effort rose just over the bar before a Barton drive was deflected high of the target.

Accies had their chances as well, Dougie Imrie and Eamonn Brophy trying their luck from the edge of the area, before Warburton made his first two changes as Harry Forrester and Michael O’Halloran replaced Kranjcar and Miller.

It took Forrester just seconds to make an impact as Rangers pulled themselves level. The midfielder split the Accies defence with a through ball and Waghorn completed the move with a clinical finish.

As Ibrox celebrated, Hamilton almost silenced the home crowd again and it took a smart save from Foderingham to deny Massimo Donati with a header from a Crawford free-kick.

Martin Canning’s side were then forced on the back foot as they looked to see the game out and had to defend for long spells as Rangers piled forward.

O’Halloran saw a near post shot saved before Matthews did well to deny Barton with ten minutes left.

There was soon concern for Rangers, though, as Waghorn pulled up with what looked like a muscle injury and was forced off. It left Warburton’s side having to play the final minutes with only ten men after Jordan Rossiter had earlier replaced Halliday.

O’Halloran took up the central role for the Gers but it was Rob Kiernan who spurned the next chance as he couldn’t convert a Wallace cross from the left.

Rossiter blasted a strike from the edge of the area over and Forrester had the last attempt as his effort whistled over the bar.