Now that was just what we all needed.
From the start, right through to the finish, Rangers were rampant and relentless against a helpless Dunfermline side who simply could not compete with the quality, pace and tempo that their hosts imposed on them. After a terrible week at Ibrox, this was the required response.
The Pars will be thankful that they got away with only five goals conceded, given that they went in at half-time trailing by four goals.
To their credit, the Fifers remained organised and determined – only conceding one second half goal in the process.
The scoring was opened thanks to an error from former Ranger, Graham Dorrans. His wayward pass was pounced upon by Calvin Bassey who teed up John Lundstram for the Scouser to slam home his first goal for the club.
Soon after it was two – Glen Kamara found Ianis Hagi in acres of space in the middle of the park, who instantly released Scott Wright. The Aberdonian went on to show his quality cutting inside his marker before setting himself to dispatch a lovely reverse finish past the Pars keeper.
Immediately after, the Gers got another.
On the left flank, Joe Aribo released Calvin Bassey for the Londoner to deliver a sumptuous cross all the way to the back post to find Ianis Hagi to nod home.
Less than twenty minutes in and the game was over as a contest.
The final goal of the first half came and it was a beauty. A ball played into Aribo was cleverly flicked into the path of the on-running Kemar Roofe. With his first touch he moved the ball away from the defender and with his second, he slammed the ball high into the net.
This was a proper clinical finish.
Later, in the second half, it was Roofe who added the fifth from the penalty spot after he was quick and clever to get to the ball first before Dorrans.
No question, it was a penalty and the Walsall-born attacker done the rest himself.
5-0 Rangers and passage through to the Premier Sports Cup last eight assured.
Positive and productive
This was a good night for Rangers.
Banana skin averted, no restlessness in the stands or on the pitch thanks to the start that the team made.
From that point, they never looked back. Rangers were aggressive, assertive and incisive for the whole game.
It was everything that last week at Tannadice wasn’t, as well as the second half dip on Tuesday which saw Rangers exit Champions League qualifying at the hands of Malmo.
That is still a sore wound which will take some time to heal but it can be eased by a seamless qualification for the Europa League group stage, followed up by consolidation against the other half of the Old Firm at the end of the month.
The marker has been set, no turning back now.