JOB done. On a day when Rangers had a place in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup to gain but significantly more than that to lose, Mark Warburton’s side made no mistakes as they completed the task in hand with relative ease.

This was a far different occasion to Rangers’ last game at Ibrox when they beat title rivals Hibernian to move clear at the top of the Championship. The crowd may not have been as large or as raucous, but those that ventured out into the freezing conditions were treated to a decent performance and a comfortable win as Warburton’s side ran out 5-1 victors.

This stage of the campaign is famed for cup upsets, days when the Davids of Scottish football slay the Goliaths and write their names in the history books. Victory for Colin Nish’s side at Ibrox would have been right up there in the shock stakes, but it was never on the cards.

There may only be one division between these teams at present but there could have been far more than four goals on a day when Rangers didn’t have to get anywhere near top gear to ensure they will be in the hat when Ibrox legend Brian Laudrup makes the draw for the last 16 at Hampden on Monday evening.

The Scottish Cup may not be at the top of Warburton’s list of priorities this season but that doesn’t mean the Gers boss won’t be taking it seriously. Like every competition Rangers enter, they are in it to win it.

He selected a strong line-up for the visit of the Blue Brazil, resisting the temptation to delve too deep into his squad and mix it up at Ibrox.

It meant the likes of Maciej Gostomski and Harry Forrester, who signed short-term deals with the Gers last week, and kids Ryan Hardie and Jordan Thompson had to settle for seats on the bench.

Like the Ibrox crowd, they had to wrap up to stave off the Glasgow chill, but the action was encouraging for those in Light Blue as Warburton’s side eased to victory. It was an assured performance, their place in the next round booked with little fuss.

Rangers dominated possession and peppered Jamie Sneddon’s goal with shots all afternoon, the fact that the keeper only had to pick the ball out of his net five time the single surprise of the day as Cowdenbeath’s dreams of an upset were dashed.

By the time Lee Wallace had put Rangers ahead after 18 minutes, Warburton’s side had already created a handful of chances as James Tavernier tried his luck from distance and Martyn Waghorn came close with a curling effort and powerful drive either side of a neat move that saw McKay and Jason Holt combine to set up Kenny Miller before his low shot was saved by Sneddon.

It was inevitable that Rangers’ pressure would pay off and another neat move split the Blue Brazil defence, Waghorn finding Miller and Wallace making no mistake as he burst forward and met a slide rule pass from the Ibrox No.9.

The task had become even greater for Cowdenbeath and Rangers continued to dominate as they looked for the second goal that, at that stage, looked like it would kill the tie.

When it arrived, it was a moment to savour for McKay. The winger had been a constant threat in the opening half an hour and he produced a bit of magic to double Rangers’ advantage.

It started with a mazy run from just inside the Cowdenbeath half and ended with him cutting onto his right foot and finding the far corner of the net with a curling effort. In what is his finest campaign in a blue jersey, it was undoubtedly one of his most eye-catching moments.

That should have been that as far as Rangers were concerned but Warburton’s side would go in at the break with just a one goal advantage. Cowdenbeath had posed little threat but when they got a sight of goal they grabbed it in spectacular fashion, Dean Brett’s superb free-kick leaving Wes Foderingham helpless and Ibrox briefly stunned.

Normal service was soon resumed, though. The third goal for Rangers may not have arrived before the break but Warburton didn’t have to wait long for the strikes that finally ended this game as a contest.

Both came from Waghorn as he took his tally to the campaign to 24 with a sweet finish from inside the area before he converted from twelve yards after Fraser Kerr had fouled James Tavernier.

With more than half an hour left, it was a case of how many Rangers would win by and Warburton was able to make changes, Forrester given his debut as he and Dean Shiels replaced Andy Halliday and Gedion Zelalem before Hardie was given a chance to impress as he took over from Miller.

The form of Waghorn has meant time on the park has been in short supply for Hardie this season as he has struggled to get himself into a goal-laden Gers forward line.

And it was the Englishman who would make it five for the afternoon for Warburton’s side as he completed his hat-trick with 12 minutes left. Tavernier was again fouled and Waghorn went to the same side second time round as he ensured he would take the match ball home.

The next sound of celebration and round of applause from the stands came on the final whistle as Rangers’ win was confirmed. The mission proved impossible for Cowdenbeath, but it was one Rangers never looked like failing.

Rangers' sights are certainly set on the silverware this season. Whether they fall at the next hurdle or go all the way at Hampden in May, they will have few afternoons as straightforward as this one.