ALLY McCoist kept faith in Ian Black despite the betting scandal the Rangers star has found himself embroiled in this week.

And his gamble paid off emphatically as the combative midfielder played a key role in a sensational 6-0 victory over Airdrie.

The former Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Hearts player was charged by the SFA with a string of betting offences on Monday.

However, there could be no questioning his complete commitment to the Ibrox club's cause during an impressive personal display.

Not even the sound of the Kenny Rogers song The Gambler being played over the public address system before kick-off seemed to upset him.

Black was heavily involved in many of the Glasgow club's best passages of play during his time on the park and helped set up their second goal.

As he was replaced in the 75th minute by Dean Shiels he was even given a standing ovation by all of the Rangers followers inside the ground.

The victory sent Rangers clear at the top of SPFL League One and, on the evidence of such an outstanding all-round display, it is surely where they will remain.

The home team started brightly but could not maintain their furious tempo for long and, slowly but surely, their opponents took control of the game.

Lewis Macleod opened the scoring in the 18th minute after a move involving another player to be promoted from the Murray Park youth ranks.

Robbie Crawford picked Macleod out in a dangerous position with an accurate through ball and he turned well and drilled the ball into the bottom left corner.

That strike clearly lifted the Rangers, who had won both of their opening league games comfortably, and they laid siege to the Airdrie goal for long periods thereafter.

Andy Little, who had opened his account for the campaign last weekend against Stranraer, was clearly in the mood to score more. He tried his luck from long range in the 27th minute. His ambitious effort eluded the clutches of the helpless Colin Stewart only to sail wide of the post.

The Northern Ireland international grabbed the second in the 36th minute when he rounded off a well-worked attacking manoeuvre.

Black found Jon Daly-- playing up front once again in what was his third and final SPFL game as a trialist - in space with a free-kick and the forward headed the ball down to Little who had little difficulty netting from close range.

Rangers added to their tally early in the second half after left-back Lee Wallace had made a darting run down his flank and past Chris O'Neil.

He cut the ball back into the Airdrie box and Crawford pounced gratefully and unleashed a powerful left-foot shot that gave Stewart no chance.

Daly once again squandered several scoring opportunities. However, the Irishman's admirable perseverance finally paid off, and then some, in this game.

He nodded in from a couple of yards out in the 65th minute to finally secure his first competitive goal for the club he joined from Dundee United in the summer.

Nicky Law, the other new arrival to start the game, made it 5-0 just three minutes later with probably the best goal of an excellent evening for Rangers.

Little squared to the Englishman and, despite running at pace, he diverted the ball into the bottom right corner of goal from an acute angle.

Having waited so long to get off the mark for Rangers Daly had soon added his second. He showed great composure as he steadied himself and fired past Stewart in the 70th minute to complete the scoring.