A solitary strike from Peter Lovenkrands was enough to give Rangers all three points at Firhill and see off a stubborn Partick Thistle.
Rangers had to wait until the 76th minute for the winning goal but it was a fine individual effort when it came.
But the Dane's contribution was cut short as he was stretchered off five minutes later with what looked like a serious ankle injury after a late tackle from Ian Ross.
Partick worked hard throughout but failed to direct a single shot at Stefan Klos over the 90 minutes.
Frank de Boer made his debut at the heart of the Rangers defence and Partick welcomed back goalkeeper Kenny Arthur after a two-match injury lay-off.
Rangers had an early chance when Hamed Namouchi had a clear shooting opportunity at the edge of the area but sliced his effort well wide.
Lovenkrands had the best attempt of the first half when he picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area and thundered in a left-foot shot that Arthur did well to touch over the top.
Nuno Capucho then wasted a great chance after Lovenkrands had created an opening for him but he looped his angled shot over the top.
David Rowson had an early chance for Partick in the second half but rushed his shot and it flew well away from Klos' goal.
Rangers brought on Ronald de Boer early in the second half as he linked up with his brother for the first time in a club match since their Barcelona days.
Ronald de Boer had a chance within minutes when his touch at the back post struck Kenny Milne and it required a fine reaction save from Arthur to keep the ball out.
Partick came back and a poor header from Maurice Ross gave Stephane Bonnes a shooting chance but he failed to trouble Klos.
The goal finally arrived when Lovenkrands picked the ball up on the left and wriggled past Jean-Yves Anis before lashing a low shot past Arthur in spite of the attentions of four Thistle defenders.