RANGERS got their Premiership campaign back on track with derby victory over Partick Thistle at Ibrox.

First half goals from Niko Kranjcar and Andy Halliday clinched the points for Mark Warburton’s side as they recorded a 2-0 win to end their barren league run.

The Gers went into the Jags clash seventh in the standings after dropping a handful of points in their last few outings as pressure has grown on Warburton and his players.

This wasn’t their best performance of the season but the win was what mattered most for the Light Blues as Alan Archibald’s side remained bottom of the table.

The Jags were bright in spells as they looked to upset the odds on their return to Ibrox but Thistle were once again left with nothing to show for their efforts.

Boss Warburton was confined to the stand for the Jags fixture following his outburst at referee John Beaton in the aftermath of the defeat to Aberdeen last weekend.

And the opening exchanges wouldn’t have made pleasant viewing for the 54-year-old as his side once again struggled and frustrations grew at Ibrox.

Kranjcar fired just wide from the edge of the area after two minutes but there was little encouragement for the Gers after that as Thistle equipped themselves well.

Defender Philippe Senderos was fortunate to stay on the park as he took out Chris Erskine and then Ade Azeez as the Jags looked to get at the much maligned Light Blues’ defence.

The Swiss was eventually booked for a foul on Azeez but Rangers had made the most of his reprieve by then as they ensured they would head in at the break with victory in their sights.

Thistle had looked bright on the break, with Chris Erskine particularly bright in midfield, but it was the Gers’ playmaker who would make the difference as Kranjcar opened the scoring after 32 minutes.

The Croatian waltzed into the area and waited and waited as the Ibrox crowd urged him to shoot. When he did, he found the top corner of Ryan Scully’s net with a sweet strike.

It was the goal that Rangers scarcely deserved given their sloppy play in the first half an hour but they didn’t have to wait long for their second of the afternoon.

A Danny Devine error gifted the ball to Jason Holt and the midfielder found Martyn Waghorn wide on the left flank.

The striker cut in and teed up Halliday, who found the bottom corner of the net with a curler effort as he made it three goals in three games.

That should have been that for Rangers but there was a scare for Warburton’s side just after the break as Erskine somehow failed to reduce Thistle’s arrears.

The forward only had keeper Wes Foderingham to beat when he burst into the box and his scuffed shot looked to be heading for the bottom corner. But there was no goal for the sizeable Jags support to cheer as Foderingham recovered and another Erskine attempt hit the post.

The miss should have punished twice in a couple of minutes but Rangers passed up two good chances as a McKay cross went unconverted by Waghorn and Kenny Miller and Holt was denied by Scully after a Miller cross was blocked.

Assistant manager David Weir made Rangers’ first changes of the afternoon as Joe Dodoo and Joe Garner replaced McKay and Waghorn, while Christie Elliott was introduced for the Jags as they looked for a way back into the game. There was no spark for the visitors, though.

The game was won and the job was done for Rangers. Both managers will hope there is better to come from their sides in the next few weeks.