Rangers have started the new Scottish Premiership campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to Hamilton Academical.

Mark Warburton's side went behind thanks to an Ali Crawford strike but Martyn Waghorn's equaliser during the second half ensured that they avoided defeat on their return to the top flight.

Rangers almost marked the start of the new season with a goal in the third minute, but Andy Halliday's left-footed strike was well saved by on-loan goalkeeper Remi Matthews.

Joey Barton fired a shot off target just before the quarter-hour mark, while a near-post cross from Kenny Miller almost found its way into the net.

However, against the run of play, Hamilton went in front through Crawford, who was given time to turn inside the penalty area before lashing an effort into the top corner.

Waghorn clipped the post with a free kick as the first half drew to a close, and he nearly found the net after the restart when he curled his shot wide of the target.

However, he did not have to wait much longer to net his first league goal of the season after being in the right place at the right time to volley home Harry Forrester's exquisite pass into the penalty area.

Hamilton went straight back up the other end with Massimo Donati seeing a header tipped away by Wes Foderingham before Forrester drilled a shot wide for Rangers when he should have at least hit the target.

Michael O'Halloran and Forrester were causing constant problems for the Hamilton defence while Barton saw a decent effort tipped away by Matthews but with little under 10 minutes to go, Rangers were dealt a blow when Waghorn pulled up with an hamstring injury.

It left the Glasgow giants having to continue with 10 men and although they continued to push for a late winner, Hamilton held firm to deny their hosts all three points on their return to the SPFL.