THIS was a game, and a performance, of two halves for Rangers. The final outcome, as it has been on so many occasions this term, was wholly emphatic and pleasing for the Ibrox crowd, though.

Mark Warburton’s side added another four goals and three points to their tally to remain in control in the Championship title race as they took another step towards proving that a faltering run of form is well and truly behind them.

Rangers have now netted 19 times in their last four outings and victory over Livingston on Saturday was another comfortable afternoon at the office for the league leaders.

Those in Light Blue were always going to have an inquisitive glance towards the meeting between Falkirk and Hibernian yesterday, but it was the action the previous day that was the most important 90 minutes of the weekend for Warburton’s side.

It was one that they dominated and again emerged from as deserved winners, but one in which there were still some frustrations and disappointments as they failed to build on a terrific first-half showing and keep the scoreboard ticking over after the break.

After Danny Wilson opened the scoring and Martyn Waghorn netted either side of a Kenny Miller effort, the only question that remained was how large the winning margin would be by the end of the game.

As the snow fell at Ibrox, Mother Nature looked a bigger threat to Rangers’ aspirations of victory than David Hopkin’s side did.

The four goal flurry in the opening period wasn’t a sign of things to come after the break, however, with Liam Buchanan’s consolation for Livi the fifth and final strike of a one-sided encounter as Andy Halliday saw his last-minute penalty saved.

There was, of course, no need for Rangers to keep going at the same tempo or to push as hard after the break. The game was won, the points were secure.

But, for a side that have set themselves high standards this season, and for a manager who demands certain levels are reached as often as possible, the drop off in execution took a slight shine off an otherwise polished performance.

“It was a really good first half,” Warburton said. “It was difficult weather conditions for both teams, but I thought we were excellent in the first half.

“We created chance after chance, controlled the football, dominated the football and we could have scored more. I was really pleased with that.

“We wanted to come out second half and match and go ahead of that level but we were a bit lacklustre, a bit flat. But the job was done by half-time.

“We are creating chances. Sometimes we have played games where we have created the same number of chances but not got the rewards.

“We got the rewards in the first and, second half, we should have scored four more. But, we didn’t and we have got to look and learn from it.”

When Warburton and his squad sit down to analyse the action, there will be far more positives than negatives for them to take out of a straightforward Championship triumph.

By the time Rangers take to the field again a week today, the Gers boss could well have more options from which to choose as he looks to add further strength and depth to his Ibrox ranks.

Latest recruit Harry Forrester spent the entire afternoon on the bench against the Lions, while Maciej Gostomski was replaced by Cammy Bell as the back-up keeper and youngster Ryan Hardie missed out of the match day squad all together.

Meanwhile, Gedion Zelalem, Nicky Clark and Dean Shiels were given a chance to impress from the bench.

“That tells you about the quality of the competition,” Warburton said.

“There are boys that are training really well in the week. Young Jordan Thompson, we were desperate to get him on, but it is difficult.

“We have good quality on the bench. If you train well, you get on the bench, it is as simple as that.”

If Warburton can continue working his way through his January shopping list and bring more players to Ibrox in the coming days, it will be another boost to Rangers’ aspirations of clinching the Championship crown this term.

The Light Blues could well travel to Cappielow on Monday with their lead cut once again but they will do so confident of recording another Championship win and banishing the memories of their stalemate with Morton last month.

The picture at the top of the table could change, but Rangers’ mindset won’t.

“If we keep on winning games of football, we will be fine,” Warburton said. “Our aim was to deliver a good performance and get the three points.

“Now, all the focus goes on to Monday week. It will be another tough away game so we are looking forward to that.”

With the visit of the Bairns to come later this month, Warburton will be determined to ensure Rangers can maintain the momentum they have built up since their defeat to Peter Houston’s side just a few weeks ago.

And the Ibrox boss will be well aware that the Gers can’t afford many more half measures as they look to remain at full throttle and retain pole position in the Championship.