Mark Warburton’s men took the lead on 12 minutes when Martyn Waghorn sent Derek Gaston the wrong way from the spot following Ross Forbes’ foul on Nathan Oduwa.

The former Wigan Athletic hitman doubled his tally 10 minutes later, swivelling to create space inside the box before sweeping the ball into the bottom-right corner.

Flying full-back James Tavernier has proven a real goal threat this term, and he burst into the box and slotted past Gaston to score Gers' third of the game and his eighth of the season.

Waghorn is still the Ibrox outfit’s top scorer, though, and he side-footed home nine minutes from time to complete his hat-trick and take his tally to 14 in all competitions this term.

The hosts had created chances over the piece, with Denny Johnstone and Michael Tidser forcing a fine double save from Wes Foderingham in the first half.

Alex Samuel, Bobby Barr, and sponsors’ man of the match Johnstone all had further efforts on goal that they didn’t quite manage to convert.

And at the end there was a sense of anti-climax for the Ton, that they hadn’t quite done themselves justice against a strong Rangers team to whom they had paid a little too much respect.

Morton (4-4-2): Gaston; Kilday ©, O’Ware, Lamie, Pepper; Tidser, Miller, Forbes (McCluskey, 67), Barr (Sabajo, 75); Samuel (MacDonald, 67), Johnstone Subs not used: McKee, Scullion, Russell, Adam (gk).

Booked: Forbes (60), O’Ware (84).

Rangers (4-3-3): Foderingham; Taverneir, Kiernan, Wilson, Wallace; Zelalem (Shiels, 62), Halliday, Holt (Miller, 62); Oduwa, Waghorn, McKay (Law, 76).

Subs not used: Ball, Clark, Aird, Kelly (gk).

Attendance: 7,392 Referee: Willie Collum