Andrew Dickson reports from Ibrox

RANGERS gave themselves the perfect send-off before next week's Champions League trip to Barcelona as they recorded their first home win against Inverness in over three years.

Gers hadn't beaten the Highlanders at Ibrox since the sides' first SPL meeting in September 2004, with Dado Prso's first-half counter making the difference.

Three 1-1 draws since and a 1-0 defeat in Govan 13 months ago meant this was a tricky tie, even with Caley Thistle's lowly table position in mind.

A trio of wins and a draw in their last five league outings made Craig Brewster's team one of the top flight's form sides.

But they were comfortably dispatched as the hosts closed the gap on Old Firm rivals Celtic to three points at the top of the table after their 2-1 success at Kilmarnock earlier in the day.

Walter Smith's men can now look forward to their mouth-watering game in the Nou Camp and will fly to Spain on Tuesday morning in high spirits after their ninth home win of the season in domestic and European fixtures.

Manager Smith made just one change to the team that beat Motherwell 2-1 in Wednesday's thrilling CIS Cup quarter-final at Fir Park.

Brahim Hemdani replaced Kevin Thomson in midfield and with midweek scorers Nacho Novo and Kris Boyd keeping their places up front, the fit-again Jean-Claude Darcheville had to settle for a place on the bench.

Rangers needed little time to stamp their mark on the game and went in front after just 34 seconds through Boyd.

He latched on to Novo's through-ball and drilled low past Michael Fraser from 15 yards to net his fifth SPL goal of the season and 10th in all competitions for club and country.

DaMarcus Beasley, a scorer at four away grounds this term but yet to strike at Ibrox, then lobbed the ball in after five minutes but had already been flagged offside by linesman Steven Craven and his effort didn't count.

Regardless, there was little doubt the Light Blues were in the ascendancy and David Weir was unfortunate to see him firm strike deflected off target and wide.

Dennis Wyness reminded the hosts of the threat he posed at the other end as Carlos Cuellar had to react sharply to guide his half-volley away for a corner.

But normal service soon resumed, with Boyd firing over after Novo set him up and the Spaniard going close himself before learning he had broken clear a yard too early.

Lee McCulloch also steered across goal as Rangers pressed for a second but it took time to come and occasional lapses at the back almost cost them beforehand.

Allan McGregor needed two attempts to gather Ian Black's stinging shot from the edge of the box.

And although Smith's men hit back, with Beasley and McCulloch unlucky before half-time and Boyd afterwards, Graham Bayne almost grabbed an equaliser with an 18-yard lob.

David Weir nearly put into his own net too when his headed passback went beyond McGregor but he recovered well to clear the danger.

It was clear something had to change so Smith threw on Darcheville and Daniel Cousin after an hour for Boyd and Novo.

The tempo rose immediately and within two minutes Rangers had doubled their lead to make sure of the win.

Darcheville played his part, nodding Allan Hutton's inswinging cross on to Cuellar, who headed back across goal and in at the far post.

It should have been 3-0 seconds later when Beasley finished off a fine move involving McCulloch and Cousin but the goal was ruled out for offside by assistant referee Francis Andrews.

Although it didn't count, his side's play had assistant manager Ally McCoist - resplendent in tights - clapping his players.

It wasn't to be Darcheville's day either as he saw his header crash off the upright from another Hutton centre in the closing stages.

But recording another three points was the most important thing and Rangers can now focus on Barca with confidence.

RANGERS: McGregor; Hutton, Cuellar, Weir, Papac; Beasley, Hemdani, Ferguson, McCulloch; Novo (Cousin 60), Boyd (Darcheville 60).

Subs not used: Carroll, Faye, Naismith, Lennon, Furman.

INVERNESS: Fraser; Tokely, McCaffrey, Munro, Hastings; Proctor (Morgan 86), Black (Cowie 86), Duncan, McBain; Wyness (NIculae 83), Bayne.

Subs not used: Malkowski, D. McDonald, Kerr, Vigurs.