Rangers 5-0 Raith Rovers: Win makes history for Warburton

Mark Warburton made history as Rangers routed Raith Rovers 5-0 to ensure his start to a managerial reign at Ibrox is better than anyone else's in the club's 143-year history.

Having won his eighth successive match last week to draw level with Bill Struth's record in his opening games after he took charge in 1920, Warburton's men were totally dominant once more.

And as they took their goals tally for the season to 35, they also opened up a five-point lead at the top of the Scottish Championship as Queen of the South lost at home to St Mirren.

Rangers got off to the perfect start as they broke the deadlock in style after only four minutes through their captain Lee Wallace.

James Tavernier won a free kick 25 yards out but rather than taking the chance to shoot, Andy Halliday instead fed it to Martyn Waghorn.

He then threaded out to Wallace on the left and he moved the ball back on to his right foot before curling an exquisite finish beyond Kevin Cuthbert from 15 yards.

That set the tone for a hugely one-sided first period in which the hosts had 77 per cent of possession and created 13 chances to none as they hemmed their opponents in.

Waghorn screwed a shot well wide, Rob Kiernan was blocked and Tavernier was crowded out as he looked to divert goalwards.

Tavernier also had a free kick blocked by Grant Anderson, who needed treatment after the fiercely-struck effort smacked off his face.

Gedion Zelalem was a constant menace in midfield with his pinpoint passing and his direct approach almost brought him a goal but he was blocked on the line.

Wallace came close too when Barrie McKay picked him out, with another low curling effort – this time with his left foot – bending just beyond the far post while Danny Wilson put a header wide.

Nathan Oduwa, in for Kenny Miller, then had a go after a smart turn to burst away from his man but Cuthbert got down well to smother a relatively tame effort.

Where the on-loan Tottenham winger couldn't succeed, he soon ensured someone else would as he set up the second.

Linking up with Tavernier, his slide pass allowed the former Wigan full-back to score his sixth goal of the season with a composed low finish in injury time.

Rangers made a slower start to the second half but it still wasn't long before they grabbed a third, with Oduwa once again playing a part 10 minutes after the restart.

He showed great footwork to pull clear of two opponents and although he couldn't hit the target himself from the touchline, his cutback was bundled in by McKay.

Waghorn – the scorer of two penalties last week against Queens – made it 4-0 after 64 minutes when he converted another spot kick after he was brought down.

And he made it five just four minutes later when Oduwa ghosted past three men before being stopped illegally by a fourth and Waghorn once again converted from 12 yards to complete the win.