MARK WARBURTON hailed goal hero Kenny Miller as Rangers secured a narrow victory over Inverness Caley Thistle.

The striker hit a superb first half effort to give the Light Blues a valuable Premiership win and move them up to third spot in the standings.

It was a moment of magic from the 36-year-old as he met a Lee Wallace cross and rifled the ball beyond keeper Owain Fon Williams to score his 100th goal for the club.

And boss Warburton was delighted with another impressive showing from Miller as he continues to play a key part in the Ibrox attack.

He said: “I’ve said it time and time again that Kenny, how he trains, how he conducts himself, how he looks after himself, it’s first class.

“His mentoring role to the younger players, on and off the pitch, and the respect he has in the dressing room, it’s very important.

“People like Kenny, Lee, Niko and a few others, they have a key role to play.

“Kenny knows what we think of him – and how much we appreciate his contribution.

“He’s played another 90 minutes tonight, which tells you all you need to know.

“How long can he go on for? Ask Davie Weir.

“The fact is he looks after himself. He looks after himself very, very well.

“You watch what he eats, how he trains, the intensity he works at – he deserves it.

“Clint Hill is 38 next week and he was magnificent tonight. Absolutely magnificent, won every header, was strong, showed good decision making on the ball.

“So I’m delighted with the more experience guys. And they’ve shown that, if they look after themselves, they can go on and on.

“It was a tremendous finish. A tremendous finish.”

After getting back to winning ways with a 2-0 triumph against Partick Thistle before the international break, this was a valuable three points for Rangers in the Highlands.

It has been a frustrating start to the campaign for the Light Blues and they will now look to make up for their Old Firm horror show at Hampden.

And Warburton was pleased with a job well done from his side as attentions turn to the Betfred Cup semi-final on Sunday.

Warburton said: “It’s a tough place to come. We played every well in the first half. We were brave, we were patient and we deserved to be ahead at half-time. We could have got a couple more.

“In the second half we created chances but also gave them too many chances by being loose. But we stood up.

“Clint and Rob made headers and tackles when they had to – and we got chances at the other end that we didn’t put away. It’s a good and important three points for us.”