Rangers 4-0 Alloa: The numbers add up for Mark Warburton's side at Ibrox

Numbers are important for Mark Warburton but it is the final one in the sequence, their advantage over Hibernian, which is the most significant. Come the end of the campaign, it is only one that will matter.

Plenty of others made for encouraging reading for the Rangers boss on Saturday, though, as his side saw off Alloa with ease and ensured their defeat at Easter Road last weekend was only a blip, and not the start of a Championship slip.

Rangers ended the game with 70 per cent possession and 21 shots at goal, 14 of which were on target, and nine corners. It was more than enough to clinch the points but the scoreboard really should have ticked over a few more times.

When Rangers suffered their first defeat of the season against St Johnstone in the League Cup in September, they responded with a 4-0 win over Morton as they quickly got back on track. The same outcome had the same effect on Saturday.

The Gers had already passed up a glorious scoring chance – Tavernier firing wide after a neat move on the edge of the area - before Waghorn gave them a tenth minute lead, the striker showing awareness and skill to collect a misplaced clearance from Andy McNeil and volley into the net from 25 yards. From that moment, the result never seemed in doubt.

It was a case of how many Rangers would win by, not whether they would collect their twelfth league win this term. In truth, the margin of victory ought to have been greater.

A stunning free-kick from Tavernier and a neat finish from Waghorn as he collected a Barrie McKay chip into the area and cushioned the ball over McNeil were the rewards for an impressive opening 45 minutes for Warburton’s side.

After finding the going tougher in recent fixtures as their attacking intentions were stifled, this was a more familiar pattern of play for Rangers. It didn’t quite reach the standards of the opening weeks of the campaign, but it was encouraging for Warburton.

With the points secured for Rangers and the defeat inevitable for Alloa, the second half became a case of game management for both. It was hardly a spectacle for the Ibrox crowd.

There were still chances, though, Waghorn twice denied his hat-trick and efforts from Jason Holt and McKay being unleashed as they looked to get in on the scoring act.

Rangers’ perseverance finally paid off, Clark heading home in the closing seconds as the Light Blue legions were once again sent home happy.

It was a game of attack versus defence, those eager to add to their tally battling against those determined not to find themselves on the end of a heavy defeat. It may not have been Rangers’ toughest test this season, but it was still another one that they passed.

“The rewards are the goals,” Warburton said. “So, for all the possession we talk about, possession is nothing without chances and goals.

“All the possession is geared towards creating chances and taking those chances. It is difficult. In training games, if you play 10 versus five or nine versus six, it is hard to break down the smaller number.

“Out there, they had nine, ten men behind the ball so we had to be patient, try and show quality, be it a quick one-two, be it Barrie McKay dribbling through, whatever it is you have to show the quality to break down a resolute defence. It was a pleasing afternoon.”

After a week in which the talk around Rangers has rarely centred on football, the 90 minutes at Ibrox was satisfying for Warburton and his players, and welcome respite for supporters.

Once again, the headlines have been on the front pages as the ongoing feud between Rangers and Mike Ashley has escalated, multi-million pound losses have been posted and the Big Tax Case fallout has continued.

For the first time this season, fans gathered before kick-off to protest, several hundred joining the Sons of Struth at the Megastore to show solidarity in the ongoing battle with Sports Direct.

Fans continue to withhold their cash from the Ashley-owned firm and boycott official merchandise but they are getting their rewards once they take their seats.

“Our job is to keep Rangers on the back pages and make sure it is good value for money and that they enjoy following their club home and away,” Warburton said.

“That has to be our task. The players have a responsibility. With 45, 50,000 here at Ibrox, the responsibility is clear – to go out, put on a display and send them home happy with a smile.

“It is not cheap following your team. The players are aware of that and their responsibility. They have to enjoy it.”

By the time Rangers next take to the field against Livingston a week on Saturday, the agenda off the park may well have moved on and new developments may well be dominating the thoughts of those in Light Blue.

It is a situation most of Warburton’s squad, the 53-year-old included, are new to, but one they will have to learn to cope with and handle as they set their sights on the Championship title.

Amongst the discussions over pence in the pound contracts, balance sheets and tax bills, that is the only numbers game that matters for Warburton and his players.