PETER LOVENKRANDS reckons there were positives for Rangers to take from the first Old Firm clash of the season despite the 2-0 Ibrox reverse.

Celtic ran out comfortable winners on Saturday as goals from Tom Rogic and Leigh Griffiths helped them move eight points clear of Pedro Caixinha’s side in the Premiership standings.

Rangers saw a penalty appeal waved away in the first half after Jozo Simunovic caught Alfredo Morelos, before the striker was denied by Craig Gordon after the break.

Read more: Rangers 0-2 Celtic: Pedro Caixinha's side are better, but still not good enough at Ibrox​

Glasgow Times: Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha

And Lovenkrands admits Celtic got the rewards for being more clinical in front of goal when it mattered most.

He said: “I think there are a lot of positive things to take from the game.

“Pedro had a game plan and it worked really well first half.

“It is hard to not let Celtic create chances in the game and they will create chances, like they did.

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“But they didn’t take them in the first half and Rangers could have had a penalty.

“That aside, I think Rangers first half looked really good, created a few chances themselves.

“Second half, Celtic keep creating chances and, as the manager said himself, a mistake on the edge of the box let Celtic get the goal. Celtic didn’t make as many mistakes as Rangers did.”

Boss Caixinha made a big call before the game as he fielded Carlos Pena rather than Kenny Miller in his starting line-up.

Read more: Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha squared up to Celtic coach John Kennedy in the Ibrox tunnel​

The Mexican once again failed to impress but Lovenkrands understands why Caixinha set up the way he did to begin with.

He said: “First 45 minutes, they did have a good shape and the manager set up that way. He put the right shape out.

“But we always knew that Kenny was going to play a part, he is too important not to.

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“He is a very good player, and for the dressing room he is important as well, especially around an Old Firm game. He has proven that.

“So I am not surprised that as soon as the goal went in he put Kenny on to try and help out.

“Next time, it might be different. But I did think the manager got it right first half.”