RANGERS took their impressive unbeaten run to nine games with a battling 4-0 win over Gretna at Ibrox Stadium this afternoon.

After 60 minutes of this match Rangers, somewhat surprisingly give the end result, had failed to impose themselves effectively on this game but three goals in a devastating last 30 minutes put a bit of gloss on a match that will not go into the video archive as a classic.

The midweek efforts to take the club through to the group stages of the Champions league looked to have taken its toll on some of the players involved but, nevertheless, it was yet another win and clean sheet for Walter Smith's new look squad and it keeps the early momentum going.

A first-half free-kick from Kris Boyd, two terrific headers from Andy Webster and Carlos Cuellar and a close range strike from substitute Darcheville eight minutes from time secured three points and the 49,688 fans that came along to cheer their team again left the stadium happy.

The Ibrox faithful also showed their delight at seeing new signing Steven Naismith making his first appearance for the club from the bench on 83 minutes.

The big plus for the manager, however, would have been the performances and goals from Webster and man of the match Cuellar.

The former Hearts star played in a post-season friendly against LA Galaxy in May but red tape has prevented him from being involved until now.

He suffered knee damage in his first training session back in January when he joined from Wigan and although he had completely recovered by the start of this season he was prevented from playing due to a FIFA-imposed suspension.

Webster was the only change at the back while DaMarcus Beasley, who scored against Kilmarnock last week, comes back in to play the left side of midfield.

Boyd was also back in the side - after missing out in midweek in Belgrade - and he partnered Daniel Cousin.

The opening five minutes of the match saw both teams jostling for possession but a determined 30 yard run from Cousin on the right flank had the home support off their seats although there was to be no end result on this occasion.

At the other end Fabian Yantorno did well to take the ball past Cuellar inside the Gers' 18-yard box but his near post effort was easily gathered by Allan McGregor.

An early lull in proceedings gave Gers' assistant manager Ally McCoist the chance to come out into his technical area and gee up the team and he was clearly pointing out to Kevin Thomson and Barry Ferguson that they were to up the tempo in the engine room.

Marcus Babbel, the assistant coach at Rangers Champions League Group E opponents Stuttgart, was in the Ibrox Main Stand to watch the action but what he saw in the opening half hour would not have had him trembling in his boots.

During this period the Light blues failed to trouble Gretna's keeper Greg Fleming whatsoever and had not produced one shot on target.

It looked almost certain that the first-half would finish goalless but Rangers were presented with the perfect opportunity to open the scoring when Cousin was brought down 20 yards from goal by Aurelien Collin.

The Gretna defender was subsequently booked and Kris Boyd's low shot took a wicked deflection before nestling in the back of the net.

The goal was perhaps harsh on Gretna who had shown plenty of the grit that has seen them enjoy a meteoric rise through the lowed Divisions into the SPL.

The Rangers players were not complaining as the ball went in and they must have been relieved to have a lead in place at referee Mike Tumilty's half-time whistle.

Smith stuck by the same starting eleven for the restart and would have been hoping that his team would start to dictate play in the second period, something they were unable to do in the first.

However, Gretna showed they were not willing to lie down and two long range efforts from Yantorno on 47 and 48 minutes reminded the Gers' stars that they were still in a game.

These early scares sparked the home side back into life and prior to the hour mark Barry Ferguson was unlucky not to double his side's advantage when his header from an Alan Hutton cross went narrowly wide with the Gretna keeper rooted to the spot.

This was to be a warning for the visitors and only four minutes later the ball was in the back of the net.

A terrific corner-kick from DaMarcus Beasley was met perfectly by Andy Webster.

The defender's header was tipped on to the underside of the bar by the diving Fleming but the ball bounced behind the line in front of the Copland Road Stand.

Smith decided to make his first change of the match by replacing the excellent Cousin with Jean-Claude Darcheville on 67 minutes and his strong running was not what the Gretna defence needed at this stage of the game!

A third goal was to arrive on 80 minutes and Ferguson this time was the provider.

His beautiful delivery from a free-kick was powered home by Cuellar who had outjumped the visitor's defence.

Darcheville then sealed the points when he motored past three defenders to the by-line and his cross was deflected past the helpless Gretna keeper by Gretna defender Collin.

The goal might eventually go down as an own goal but we will give Darcheville the credit after his superb run.

The final scoreline perhaps flattered Rangers but the players must be commended for putting in such a tough shift after leading the club to the prestigious Champions League group stages.

Man of the Match: Carlos Cuellar