RANGERS maintained their 100 per cent record in the league with a stunning 7-2 win over Falkirk at a rain-soaked Ibrox Stadium this afternoon.

Dream doubles for Daniel Cousin and Jean-Claude Darcheville, a debut goal for Steven Whittaker and firsts of the season for Kris Boyd and Kirk Broadfoot made it a day to remember for the Ibrox faithful although the scoreline might have been even more comprehensive if Rangers had taken more of their second-half chances.

Walter Smith will have been disappointed to see his side lose two goals on the day to end the club's recent run of clean sheets but it had to happen at some time and Falkirk showed flashes of real quality throughout the 90 minutes with Russell Latapy, as usual, the inspiration for John Hughes' team.

Smith made four changes to the side that beat Red Star Belgrade with Whittaker making his first appearance in a Light Blue jersey on the right side of midfield.

Sasa Papac also returned from injury while Euro goal hero Nacho Novo was rewarded with a place in the starting line-up alongside Cousin.

There was, however, no place in the squad for Brahim Hemdani, DaMarcus Beasley, Ian Murray, Charlie Adam and Alan Gow.

The Light Blues could not have got off to a better start when they opened the scoring with only one minute and six seconds played.

Ferguson curled in a corner-kick which was met on the volley by McCulloch but his effort bounced off the slippy turf before hitting the cross bar.

The ball then dropped to Davie Weir six yards from goal and, when his header was stopped on the goalline, Cousin was there to force it into the net.

The Ibrox faithful erupted and they were back off their seats six minutes later when Whittaker cut inside and drilled a low shot which was well saved by Falkirk's Dutch keeper Tim Krul.

The partnership of Novo and Cousin in attack was causing problems for the Bairns' backline in the early stages but the visitors showed their threat in the last third with Moutinho and Latapy trying their luck from distance without reward.

The drizzly conditions was providing a test for both sets of players and Arnau Riera was the recipient of the first yellow card of the game for a rash challenge on Whittaker on 21 minutes.

Falkirk had their first real opportunity to get back into the match prior to the half-hour mark when Patrick Cregg broke from midfield and delivered a perfect pass over the head of Sasa Papac to Pedro Moutinho on the right.

The Portuguese hitman tried to find the far corner with his low shot and he looked to have found his target until McGregor stuck out his right hand to tip the ball around the post.

Whittaker was clearly enjoying his debut and marked the occasion by doubling his side's advantage on 34 minutes.

A neat interchange of passes between McCulloch and Ferguson resulted in the captain playing a clever pass to his new teammate who was unmarked on the right wing.

The former Hibs' man shot from 18-yards took a wicked deflection before beating Krul but it was a moment to savour for the player who celebrated in front of the Govan Stand.

Rangers could have made it 3-0 moments later when the excellent Alan Hutton put in a crunching tackle on Kenny Milne before going on a swift counter-attack.

The right-back elected to play a one-two with Novo before finding the net but the Spaniard was adjudged to have been offside before making his return pass.

Novo then had a great chance himself but, having been played in by Ferguson, the striker's shot from 12-yards was well saved by the on-rushing Krul.

It was all Rangers at this stage but this was to change on 43 minutes when former Barcelona youth star Arnau Riera blasted home a stunning 25 yards strike which was to lift his side's spirits.

Somewhat remarkably, Falkirk could have been back on level terms seconds before the interval when inspirational playmaker Russell Latapy showed great skill on the right-wing before crossing for Higdon who should have done better with his low shot from 10 yards.

Half-time: Rangers 2 Falkirk 1

Rangers started the second-half in a similar manner to the first and Novo should have scored within a minute but Krul saved well at his feet.

Barry Ferguson then launched a dipping 25-yard drive which the keeper tipped over the bar.

It seemed only a matter of time before the Gers would net a third and it came on 54 minutes.

Ferguson was the architect with a terrific driving run into the 18-yard box and his pass inside was missed by Novo but Cousin made no mistake with a clinical finish.

It was to become a second-half onslaught and Ferguson was unlucky with a cheeky chip which was again saved by the busy Krul before the hour mark.

Kris Boyd was then given a run-out when he replaced the injured McCulloch with 20 minutes remaining but the big striker could do nothing as Falkirk scored their second goal of the match two minutes later.

Higdon received a perfect through ball before coolly dinking the ball over McGregor.

The goal was a shock to the system for the Gers players who had been cruising through the second period.

On 74 minutes, however, they restored their two-goal advantage with a typical poachers goal from Boyd.

Cousin did exceptionally well on the right and when his miss hit cross deceived all the Falkirk defenders, the Gers' no. 9 was there to rattle the ball home for his first of the season.

The relief on the striker's face was evident and the fans within Ibrox will have been delighted to see Scotland's most prolific striker back to his best.

Darcheville secured the win with Rangers fifth and sixth goals from close range at the death and a bit of icing was then put on the cake when Broadfoot' scored a seventh in jury time.

In the end, Rangers second-half display was first-class although Falkirk deserve great credit for the football they played and making this such an entertaining encounter.

Man of the Match: Daniel Cousin