Rangers continued their progress in this season’s Petrofac Training Cup courtesy of a 2-0 victory over East Fife at New Bayview.
The Ibrox men are still competing in all four competitions they have entered this season and will be determined to go all the way in the Challenge Cup the tournament where they fell at the final hurdle last term.
That final defeat to Raith Rovers in April clearly still rankles with the Glasgow giants, but it was a convincing albeit uninspiring victory in Methil that took them one step closer to lifting the silverware this time around.
Goals from Jon Daly and Ian Black, one in each half, earned them a hard-fought win over their League Two hosts, and booked a semi-final away to Alloa later in the year.
For their part, East Fife were beaten but far from disgraced, especially when you consider manager Gary Naysmith could only muster 14 outfield players for the tie.
The Fifers started the game well but Rangers soon took a grip of the game, controlling possession for long spells of the first half without finding the cutting edge that was needed.
Indeed, it was a scrappy goal that broke the deadlock just before the half hour as Black’s shot trickled into the path of Daly who bundled the ball home at the back post.
There was always a sense that Rangers needed a second to make sure of their progression, and it duly came in the 57th minute.
Ewan Moyes’ foul on Nicky Clark right on the edge of the box gave Rangers a gilt-edged chance to double their lead, and Black was the man who stepped up to blast home the resulting free-kick.
Rangers endeavoured to put further gloss on the scoreline in the closing stages, but East Fife remained resolute and bowed out of the competition with their heads held high.