THEY welcome the chase. Mark Warburton joined the legendary Bill Struth in the Rangers record books as he made it eight wins out of eight with victory over Queen of the South.

But it will be the two point gap the Light Blues now have at the top of the Championship standings that will be of most satisfaction to the Gers boss.

The title race may only be four games old, but the chasing pack already have to catch Warburton’s side after they maintained their perfect record this term with a 5-1 win at Palmerston.

If Warburton can make it nine-in-a-row with victory over Raith Rovers at Ibrox this weekend, he will surpass the run set by Struth’s league winners from season 1920/21 and enshrine his place in the history books.

It will be another significant achievement for the 52-year-old, but it is the second tier crown that remains the real goal in his sights as Rangers look to extend their advantage in the coming weeks.

After twice seeing off Hibernian and banishing the memories of the Indodrill Stadium by beating Alloa earlier this month, Rangers returned to another arena that has been the scene of a nightmare evening or two as they made the trip to Palmerston.

But this was no match to fear for Warburton and his players, many of whom are unscarred from the painful defeats to the Doonhamers and are playing with the kind of verve and vigour at present that means no opponent will give them undue cause for concern.

Warburton has kept the focus on his team, his players in the opening weeks of his reign and that inward view has allowed him to overhaul a squad and fine tune their development at a considerable rate.

There is little time spent focusing on the 11 men who will line up against them, little thought given to what problems their rivals may pose.

Instead, it is all about Rangers. It is an approach that was once again evident in Dumfries as he sent out a team to attack Queens rather than contain them, one to inflict damage rather than survive any blows that were landed.

It was a forward thinking line-up, and arguably the strongest Warburton has at his disposal at present, as, in front of a now settled back four, Andy Halliday, Jason Holt and Gedion Zelalem were given midfield berths and Barrie McKay, Kenny Miller and Martyn Waghorn fielded in the three-pronged attack.

It was a signal of Warburton’s intentions, proof that he will stick to his blueprint no matter the opposition or the occasion.

Once again, the movement was quick and direct, the passing crisp and incisive as McKay, transformed under Warburton so far, was key on the left flank, Miller tireless on the right and Waghorn the impressive focal point.

As the games have come and gone and the wins have been chalked off at a regular rate, the momentum has steadily built for Rangers as Warburton’s side have impressed on each occasion they have taken to the field. This was no exception.

The win was as deserved as it was emphatic as Rangers once again turned on the style and cruised to victory in the Dumfries sunshine.

While the points on the board and the progression in the cups have been the most important thing for Rangers, it the manner in which they have achieved their successes that has given fans the biggest reasons to be cheerful.

They are a side that that has style and substance and there is an end product to the attacking process as they have made the kind of start Warburton would have dreamt of after his appointment as boss.

The first goal of the afternoon was typical of the Rangers model this season, the move starting at the back and ending with a neat finish from Halliday after McKay combined well with Wallace, who was taken off as a precaution shortly after, and Waghornand then split the Queens defence with a perfectly weighted pass.

It was the goal that put Rangers well in control, and after the Doonhamers lost their discipline, Derek Lyle seeing red for what will be classed as a head butt on Rob Kiernan, there was only ever going to be one winner.

Within seconds, after Andy Dowie denied Dominic Ball inside the six-yard box but somehow stayed on the park, Waghorn doubled Rangers’ advantage from the spot to clinch the points.

As the travelling Gers support celebrated on the terraces, Warburton’s side were enjoying themselves on the park as they extended their advantage and hammered home their dominance.

Holt made it 3-0 as he converted at the second attempt following a neat through ball from Zelalem before Miller and Waghorn opened up the Doonhamers defence and McKay got a deserved goal.

There was more misery to come for Queens as Iain Russell was penalised for handball and Waghorn found the top corner from 12 yards.

It was no more than Rangers deserved and they continued to swarm forward at every opportunity in search of further goals.

The net did bulge for a sixth time of the afternoon but it was at the other end of the park this time, Aidan Smith out-pacing Kiernan to a long ball and then beating Wes Foderingham to give Queens something to cheer at last.

It was the only black mark on Rangers’ report card as the Light Blue legions continued to sing while Warburton’s side were winning.

On this form, they will be able to serenade the manager and his players on plenty more occasions in the coming months as they hope to finally celebrate title glory.

For the rest of the Championship, the chase is on.