THERE was no heavy artillery at Ibrox this time around as Rangers celebrated Armed Forces day on Saturday.

But the Light Blues' big guns did fire as Ally McCoist's side kept up the fight for major honours this season.

The afternoon started with members of the Army, Navy and RAF leading the teams out of the tunnel and two soldiers abseiling on to the pitch from the roof of the Sandy Jardine Stand.

It ended with Rangers victorious in a crucial Championship battle, the 6-1 win over Raith Rovers ensuring Hearts were kept well within their crosshairs as the gap at the top of the table remained at nine points.

It was a day to remember for the members of our Armed Services who took the field and watched from the stands, but also for those involved in the action, and three of McCoist's key men in particular.

Lee McCulloch's early header and a deft dink from Nicky Law laid the foundations for success for Rangers, but it was the four goals after the break that were arguably more important as the Ibrox strikeforce found the target.

Kenny Miller marked his return from injury in style, a low finish into the bottom corner just rewards for his efforts that proved, even at 35, he still has plenty to offer for Rangers.

In the closing stages, Jon Daly got his first two goals of the campaign, netting from close range after he got on the end of Richard Foster crosses from the right flank.

But it was the goal just after the hour mark that brought the loudest cheer from the Light Blue legions as Kris Boyd, with the help of a howler from Raith goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw, finally got his first Championship strike of the season.

THE attacking trio were able to reflect on a job well done come the end of an entertaining clash at Ibrox, but it is McCoist who can be the most satisfied.

He will hope that this is the start of a much-needed purple patch for his three most experienced strikers as Rangers look to reel in their title rivals at the top of the table.

But the Light Blues boss was keen to highlight the importance of the fourth member of his forward line as he ponders who to pick when Rangers face East Fife in the Petrofac Training Cup tomorrow night.

"It is a pleasant problem," he said. "I would have to say I think Nicky Clark can consider himself unlucky to be left out today.

"Sometimes you make decisions that don't please everybody and I would imagine I made one today that didn't please Nicky.

"But, having said that, the fairest thing I can say about Nicky is that he is, without doubt, coming on leaps and bounds.

"His all-round game is continuing to improve and I believe a lot of that is down to the fact that he is training and watching Kris and Kenny."

Clark may be impressing McCoist on the training field, and he looked lively when he and Daly replaced Boyd and Miller on Saturday, but the 23-year-old may find himself back down the Ibrox pecking order once again.

Rangers have lacked a spark in front of goal too often this term as chances have proven hard to come by and too many have been squandered, but they could easily have netted more than half-a-dozen against Raith.

With Boyd back amongst the goals and reunited with his strike partner, the signs are encouraging for McCoist.

"We all know Kenny's value to the team and the squad," he said.

"He has been and is, a top, top player at the highest level, and we certainly saw the value of Kenny Miller coming back in.

"His all-round play was excellent and to get a goal was equally pleasing."

AT the end of a week in which the headlines have once again been dominated by off-field issues, there was a welcome reprieve from the latest round of the ongoing boardroom battle on Saturday.

It is the second time this term Rangers have eased to victory over Grant Murray's side, the six-of-the-best showing coming after a 4-0 triumph at Stark's Park a few weeks ago.

Martin Scott's second-half effort proved no more than a consolation for the visitors as Rangers hit their stride and looked far more convincing and clinical in the final third.

"I definitely thought, prior to today, our best performance of the season would have been Kirkcaldy," McCoist said.

"I thought we were very, very good today and there were some excellent performances.

"I thought at times some of the football was as good as we have played in a long time.

"If I was going to have a wee moan, I thought we were a bit open in periods of the second half with boys wanting to shoot forward to try and score goals, which is fine, but I thought we were a bit open.

"I thought the level of goal, and with Kris scoring in a victory, was the ideal scenario today."