James Penrice scored and assisted on his debut as Derek McInnes' Rangers alleviated concerns about an early-season crisis by dispatching holders St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup to set up a quarter-final tie with rivals Celtic.
The result marks the first win of the McInnes era at the fifth attempt, sealed with a much-improved second-half display after an unconvincing showing in the first period.
In a bright opening, Ryan Naderi diverted in a messy opener before an outrageous 25-yard volley from Vanja Dragojevic doubled Rangers' lead, but they continually offered the away side encouragement for the remainder of the half.
Slack play in the hosts' midfield allowed Chris Mochrie to gain possession and rocket in an excellent finish from just outside the box.
St Mirren also played themselves into trouble at times but were expressing the verve that has helped them excel in the early weeks of the campaign, pressuring their opposition and zipping the ball through them with quality.
However, McInnes' men were far more structured and threatening after the interval, with debutant Penrice providing the impressive Djeidi Gassama to finish a blistering counter-attack.
Two minutes later, Penrice, signed on loan from AEK Athens on Saturday, slammed in from close range after more scrappy defending from the visitors.
St Mirren were offered a lifeline when the vulnerable Emmanuel Fernandez, perhaps fortunate to escape a second booking, tripped Eseosa Sule in the box.
Killian Phillips' retaken penalty was saved by goalkeeper Ivor Pandur after the midfielder had converted a spot-kick that was hit before referee John Beaton had blown his whistle.
Ross McCausland, making his first Rangers appearance since April 2025, added gloss to the victory by finishing a fifth on the rebound after Lawrence Shankland had hit a post with a backheel.
Image source, SNS
