Rangers bounced back from their shock Scottish Communities League Cup exit to Falkirk in style with a convincing 4-0 win over Dunfermline in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
Steven Naismith netted a double and Carlos Bocanegra and Maurice Edu grabbed a goal each as the Scottish champions responded positively to the midweek defeat against the Irn-Bru First Division side.
The win at East End Park allowed Rangers to extend their lead at the summit to seven points ahead of nearest rivals Celtic's game later in the day and was also the perfect 49th birthday present for boss Ally McCoist.
Rangers had the chance to pile on some early pressure when Kyle Lafferty won a free-kick 25 yards out. Gregg Wylde sent a swerving effort into the box and was only denied the opener by a decent save from goalkeeper Paul Gallacher, who reacted quickly to push the set-piece past his left-hand post.
But he was left picking the ball out of the back of the net with just eight minutes gone when Rangers took the lead from the resultant corner. Steven Davis picked out Bocanegra who connected well to nod past Gallacher and claim his first SPL goal for the club.
Rangers doubled their advantage after 17 minutes when Edu collected a short pass from Nikica Jelavic and sent an impressive strike past the helpless Gallacher from 20 yards.
At the other end, Dunfermline carved out their first real chance when Gary Mason's cross was met by Ryan Thomson and his header was touched just over by Allan McGregor at full stretch.
Rangers could have added to their lead when Jelavic set up Davis but his poor header fell wide of target, before Wylde tested Gallacher with an effort that the goalkeeper initially spilled before recovering to smother.
Rangers added a third just six minutes into the second half when Naismith raced onto a pass from Davis and kept his cool to stroke past Gallacher from 12 yards, before Steven Whittaker went within inches of adding his name to the scoresheet with a well-struck shot from long distance that dipped but went just over the crossbar.
Gallacher was called into action to force a Jelavic free-kick over, before denying a ferocious effort from Whittaker but he was unable to prevent Naismith from claiming his second of the day with nine minutes remaining. Davis went on a great run before finding Jelavic, who whipped the ball across the face of goal for Naismith to rifle home from close range.
Source: PA
Source: PA