ANOTHER game, another win, more goals and more reasons to be cheerful. Rangers made it five from five under Mark Warburton last night and their sights are now set on making it six of the best this weekend.

Ayr United became the latest team to be chalked off the Gers’ agenda at Somerset Park, Warburton’s side booking their place in the Petrofac Training Cup third round with a 2-0 win.

After triumphs against Hibernian, Peterhead, St Mirren and Alloa in the opening weeks of the campaign, this was another tricky challenge for this new-look Light Blues outfit.

But it was one that they passed with what is becoming a trademark style as goals from Nicky Clark and Barrie McKay eased them over the line against the Honest Men.

This competition has given Rangers some of their bloodiest noses in recent years, the penalty shoot-out defeat to Queen of the South, final loss against Raith Rovers and embarrassing exit at Alloa painful points on what has proven to be an extended journey back through the leagues.

There never looked to be any real chance of Ayr being added to that list, however, as Warburton’s side continued their fine start to the season and avoided a cup shock.

Having emerged unscathed from Ayrshire, the attentions will now turn to the visit of Hibs this weekend and the sixth, and the biggest, match of Warburton’s reign to date.

It is a fixture Rangers will go into in fine form and with confidence as they look to cap the first half a dozen games of the Warburton era with a crucial Championship triumph.

The Gers boss could have had one eye on the meeting with Alan Stubbs’ side ahead of kick-off and he elected to ring the changes from the side that beat Alloa 5-1 on Sunday.

After grabbing the headlines during his late cameo against the Wasps, Nathan Oduwa was handed his first start for the Gers as he was given a chance to shine once.

He again showed his quick turn of foot and confidence on the ball as he jinked, twisted and flicked his way around the park but Rangers will hope there is more end product to his play.

For the fans seeing him in action for the first time, they would have been left encouraged, though, and there appears to be plenty more to come from the forward.

Oduwa was joined by Spurs team-mate Dominic Ball as he partnered Danny Wilson at the heart of the Light Blues’ rearguard and Rob Kiernan sat out for the first time this term.

There was also a start for Dean Shiels in midfield while Tom Walsh, McKay and Clark formed the attacking trio determined to impress and stake their claim for a place against Hibs.

Rangers were on the front foot from the off and Oduwa was immediately involved, the Spurs kid brought down just seconds into the game after he burst forward from kick-off.

It was the first of many attacking forays towards the Ayr target in the opening 45 minutes but only two ended in goals as Clark and McKay ensured Rangers would head back to the dressing room with a comfortable and deserved advantage.

The opener came after 14 minutes and was typical of the style of goal Rangers have scored so far this season, their neat, quick passing too good for Ayr as Jason Holt and McKay combined and Clark supplied the finishing touch.

It was no surprise to see Rangers dominate possession as they controlled the game and chances for Ayr were few and far between.

Their best opportunity arrived on 25 minutes when Craig Moore beat Wes Foderingham to a long ball on the edge of the area and rounded the Gers keeper.

He was left with an almost impossible angle, though, and his shot ended up in the side net in front of the Gers fans away to Warburton’s left.

It was as close as Ayr would come to getting themselves level and the task soon got even tougher as Rangers doubled their advantage and took a significant step towards the third round.

Keeper Fleming pulled off a terrific double save to deny Clark and Walsh in quick succession but he was left with no chance just minutes later as McKay blasted the ball beyond him from six yards.

Walsh was again involved as he stole the ball from Brian Gilmour in the middle of the park and burst forward before electing to play in his team-mate rather than go for goal himself.

McKay made no mistake as he continued his solid start to the season with his first goal of the campaign and gave Rangers breathing space at the break.

It was an advantage that looked threatened early in the second half as Ayr started brightly, their claims for a penalty waved away by referee Stephen Finnie as he booked Alan Forrest for diving rather than pointing to the spot.

As Rangers edged closer to a place in the next round, Holt saw his low shot on the angle go just the wrong side of Fleming’s post and Clark couldn’t convert from close range after good work from Martyn Waghorn inside the area.

In the end, the missed chances would matter little for Rangers as the final whistle signalled another job done for Warburton and his players.

If the same can be said come full time on Sunday, a good start will have turned into a great one for Rangers.