Mark Warburton is confident Rangers will find a more clinical edge to their play in the final third after a ‘professional’ performance earned his side a 3-0 victory over East Stirlingshire on Friday night.
Rangers have now taken nine points from their three Betfred Cup ties and are top of Group F heading into their final fixture at home to Stranraer on Monday.
After seeing off Motherwell and Annan on their first two outings this term, Rangers were once again comfortable winners at Ochilview as their Lowland League opponents posed them few problems throughout a one-sided affair.
An early penalty from Andy Halliday put Rangers on course for the win before Josh Windass netted his first competitive goal for the Gers following his summer move north of the border from Accrington Stanley. It took until the final seconds for Warburton’s side to get their third of the night, though, as former Leicester City forward Joe Dodoo marked his debut with a goal.
The margin of victory could have been far greater as Rangers passed up a series of scoring chances and failed to make their dominance show on the scoreboard. It was still a satisfactory night for Warburton, though, as Rangers continue their preparations for the new Premiership campaign.
“It could have been more,” Warburton said. “We had a lot of possession and maybe we could have tested the keeper more, especially in the second half. We have got to be pleased with long passages of play, we kept trying to do the right thing, which is difficult on this surface and against a very willing opponent. We came here and did the job very professionally and now we move on to game four.
“We have got to maximise these games in terms of fitness and trying to bed in the right principles and I thought we did that tonight. It is pleasing. You always say about more goals, but I thought it was a very professional display. All credit to the players.
“I think the last few games, like against Motherwell in the second half, we could have put away four or five, and on Tuesday night and again this evening. We have got to be pleased. It is only game three. We are getting in good shape, fitness levels are rising and hopefully on Monday we can have another positive display. We will then have four, five days rest into the Burnley friendly and then a week of training before the start of the season. So far so good.”
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