By Kenny MacDonald

GLASGOW (Reuters) - Goals from Thomas Gravesen and Kenny Miller gave champions Celtic a 2-0 home victory over Rangers in the first Old Firm derby of the season on Saturday.

Danish midfielder Gravesen grabbed the first-half opener after 34 minutes when he dived full length to head home after Rangers keeper Allan McGregor had brilliantly parried Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's header.

Former Rangers striker Miller scored his first goal for Celtic when he charged free down the middle and, as McGregor ran out to narrow the angle, he poked a low shot past the keeper into the net on 73 minutes.

Celtic top the standings with 19 points from eight games and stretched the gap to seven points over Rangers who remain third. Second placed Hearts, with 13 points from seven games, play at Aberdeen on Sunday.