The champions came from behind to win a breathtaking first Old Firm derby of the season and increase their lead over the Hoops at the top of the table to four points.

Steven Naismith fired Rangers ahead in the 22nd minute with the first of his double but goals from Gary Hooper and Badr El-Kaddouri, whose long-distance shot somehow managed to slip past Gers keeper Allan McGregor, gave the Hoops the interval lead.

However, in a remarkable second-half turnaround goals from Nikica Jelavic, Kyle Lafferty and Naismith again kept the points in Govan.

To add to Celtic's woes, Charlie Mulgrew was sent off in the 75th minute after picking up the second of his two yellow cards for a foul on Steven Davis.

However, Brown, who had to come off in the second half with a recurrence of an ankle injury which is set to keep him out for weeks, was defiant in defeat.

"We are disappointed," said the Scotland midfielder.

"But it is early in the season and there is still a lot to play for.

"I know we are four points behind but it (a comeback) has happened before.

"We gave it a shot but we didn't play as well as we could, we know we can do better.

"We let ourselves down at the start of the second half.

"We were flying at half-time but we didn't come out for the second half.

"It is frustrating that we were in the driving seat then lost two early goals.

"But as I said before, it is early days."

Brown, though, will have to watch from the sidelines in the next few weeks after manager Neil Lennon revealed he will "shut down" his skipper after he succumbed to his on-going ankle complaint.

The former Hibernian midfielder played down the extent of his injury, saying, "I managed to hurt myself just a little bit but hopefully I will be okay."

However, the Parkhead boss was not as confident in his prognosis.

"The ankle has gone again unfortunately," said Lennon.

"He got us playing in the first half, he was instrumental in both of our goals so it was a blow losing him.

"He felt fine before the game, he trained before the game and looked great for an hour.

"We don't know how long he is going to be out for now.

"It looks as if he is going to be shut down for a while until we can let it settle and get it right."