The young striker was handed his first start against Aberdeen, following his $5million move from Kilmarnock.

He responded in style with a goal which was sandwiched between strikes from Lee McCulloch, whose long-range effort was sensational, and substitute Kris Boyd.

The 3-0 victory allowed Rangers to overtake Old Firm rivals Celtic at the summit of the SPL following the Hoops' defeat to Hibernian.

Walter Smith has maintained all season he will make full use of his squad as Rangers attempt to mount a credible challenge both domestically and in the Champions League.

And he showed his ruthless streak when Brahim Hemdani and Charlie Adam were both dropped from the squad to face Aberdeen, despite Adam's wonder goal against Stuttgart on Wednesday night. Also out was Jean-Claude Darcheville who grabbed the winner against the Germans from the penalty spot.

Daniel Cousin and Naismith were the preferred front pairing, while McCulloch returned following his European suspension.

Jamie Langfield remained in goal for the Dons following his successful return against Dnipro, but Jackie McNamara and Derek Young both picked up knocks during the UEFA Cup tie and were replaced by Richard Foster and Chris Maguire.

Rangers may have been the only Scottish club to record a victory in Europe earlier in the week but the midweek exertions seemed to have taken their toll on both clubs, who served up an uninspiring first half.

The home side did look slightly livelier than their visitors though and Zander Diamond was forced to block a Naismith effort early on, before McCulloch sent a low drive inches wide from distance in the opening spell.

Cousin then whipped in an inviting ball from the right into the goalmouth, where Naismith was eagerly waiting. But the young striker failed to connect by a yard and Langfield gratefully smothered.

Naismith turned provider and laid the ball on for McCulloch to have a go from just outside the box, the first effort smashing off a red shirt, before the rebound was sent dipping over the crossbar.

Naismith was sent sprawling as Scott Severin received the first booking of the game. The Dons man then provided his team with one of their few chances of the half, his 30-yard drive fizzing low past Allan McGregor's right-hand post.

At the other end, Steven Whittaker had a go with a similarly opportunistic effort, after Cousin had knocked McGregor's goal-kick into his path, but he did little to trouble Langfield with the long range looping shot.

The news filtering through to Ibrox that Celtic had lost 3-2 to Hibernian at Easter Road clearly provided the boost that Rangers were looking for and they surged into the lead within a minute of the restart.

Aberdeen were caught unaware by a long ball from McGregor which found McCulloch, who chested into the path of Cousin. The striker returned the favour, setting up McCulloch for a 35-yard volley which left Langfield with no chance as it found the top right corner.

The Dons goalkeeper did better to hold a wicked shot from Whittaker, which looked certain to leave the net bulging.

Instead, it was Naismith who helped himself to his first goal for his new club and Rangers' second of the day with 65 minutes gone. He pounced on a Sasa Papac ball down the left channel, skipped past Michael Hart, and slotted a right-footed effort into the bottom corner of the net.

Ibrox erupted in fury when Naismith was upended by a shocking challenge from Diamond, which earned the Aberdeen player a yellow card from referee Iain Brines, which could easily have been a red.

Naismith limped off to be replaced by Boyd, as Aberdeen attempted to mount a late comeback, with Lee Miller denied by McGregor and Nicholson's rebound blocked by Papac.

It was Boyd who would have the final say of the match, when he rifled home with two minutes to go to put the result beyond doubt.