news-engine

James Penrice stars in Rangers statement of intent to end 134 days since winning at Ibrox - 5 talking points Rangers romped into the quarter-finals of Premier Sports Cup by seeing off St Mirren It was 134 days since Rangers last won a game at Ibrox. For Derek McInnes, it must have felt like a lifetime. That’s why he would have been the most relieved man in Govan to see his side finally chalk up their first victory of the season - and his first as gaffer. Rangers romped into the quarter-finals of Premier Sports Cup by seeing off St Mirren with ease. McInnes’ men notched five goals in the process, with new boys James Penrice and Vanja Dragojevic getting on the scoresheet along with Ryan Naderi, Djeidi Gassama and forgotten man Ross McCausland. Saints replied through Chris Mochrie but never looked like keeping a grip of the trophy they won back in December. McInnes’ men were worthy winners and he could finally celebrate on the touchline at full-time. Incredibly, Rangers' last victory here was on April 4 against Dundee United last term. But Naderi - who scored the opener that day - got them off to a dream start early on here before Dragojevic’s stunning long-range screamer made it two. The Buddies pulled one back before half-time but Penrice - who only arrived at Ibrox on Saturday - set up Gassama before making it 4-1 himself. Kilian Phillips missed a penalty for the visitors before McCausland wrapped it up for Rangers with a fifth after coming on as a sub. Here are Record Sports five talking points: Much needed for McInnes After a torrid start to his reign as Rangers gaffer, boy did Derek McInnes need this victory in the cup. Before kick-off, he’d failed to win a game, gone out of the Europa League and his side had scored just one goal from open play. Pressure was building on the new manager but this emphatic win should lighten the load. His team fully deserved their victory. They scored five and probably should have had more. He’ll have been pleased with impressive displays from the likes of Dragojevic and Penrice - but at the same time knowing there’s still plenty of work to be done, with Emmanuel Fernandez at the back still a concern. McInnes badly needed a win and he’ll be praying this kick-starts his Ibrox tenure. The hard-to-please Ibrox crowd liked a lot of what they saw against St Mirren but Gers have to build on it now. They’ve got another European game against Jablonec up next in midweek and the manager is entitled to expect a similar performance and result. Hero to villain for Vanja Rangers’ new Serb, Dragojevic, got the midfield start he craved at his new club and came up with a moment of Ibrox magic to open his scoring account. His touch and volley from 25 yards out which nestled in the top corner to put Gers 2-0 up is up there with one of the best goals this stadium’s ever seen. It was a dream strike from Dragojevic who arrived from Partizan Belgrade this summer for £4 million. And it gave McInnes’ men a vital two goal cushion in the cup tie. But unfortunately, the 20-year-old then cost his side at the other end. It was his loose pass to Nico Raskin deep in his own half that teed up Chris Mochrie to take a touch and rifle the ball past Ivor Pandur to make it 2-1 and get the Buddies right back in the game. Dragojevic’s overall performance was very encouraging for Rangers - but the slackness for Mochrie’s goal was the one blot on his copybook. Ryan’s relief Most Rangers fans would have been shocked to see Naderi spearhead the attack on his own up front. The young German got the nod over skipper Lawrence Shankland and after his display against Jagiellonia in midweek, that would have shocked the punters who were heavily critical of the £5 million man. Naderi - who was plucked from the German third division - hasn’t set the heather on fire on Ibrox but the manager clearly sees something in him. That’s why when he put his side in front after just nine minutes, there was a look of sheer relief on BOTH of their faces. Naderi converted from close range and celebrated by putting his head inside his shirt - looking as if the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders. It was the same for McInnes who looked to the sky before punching the air in delight. Perfect debut for Penrice McInnes threw the on-loan left-back Penrice straight in at the deep end as it was a case of needs-must in a problem position for Rangers. But the gamble paid off. Despite only arriving from AEK Athens on Saturday, the former Hearts man took to life at Ibrox like a duck to water. Penrice looked confident from the off, always looking to pass forward and be positive when possible. He was also given the responsibility of taking Gers’ set-pieces and produced some wicked dead-ball deliveries into the box. This tie was still in the balance at 2-1 but Penrice stepped up to take the game beyond St Mirren. His assist for Gassama on the break was brilliant and immediately endeared himself to the supporters. But he wasn’t done yet. Just a minute later, he found himself in the box to bury Rangers’ fourth goal and seal their place in the quarter-finals. Buddies bow out With Rangers in a vulnerable state before the game, St Mirren and McLeish will have viewed this as a big opportunity to progress in the cup and keep a grip on the trophy. He’s adopted a new style of play since taking over as gaffer and that was evident here. The Buddies were as expansive and attacking as they’ve been at Ibrox for a long time. Striker Eseosa Sule was a constant threat to Rangers and had the beating of Emmanuel Fernandez all day. The visitors also scored a fantastic goal through Mochrie to make it 2-1 at half-time. But too often, McLeish’s side played themselves into bother and Rangers punished them. They weren’t strong enough defensively to keep the home side at bay and could have no complaints about the outcome. The penalty miss from Phillips after Sule had been fouled in the box might have given them late hope - but by shipping five goals the holders were always going out.