Rangers yin-yang moments and dream debut get Derek McInnes off mark - but boss not out of woods yet

In such challenging times, goal quality is not the consideration. At any rate, Vanja Dragojevic produced something for Ibrox aesthetes to enjoy just ten minutes later with a shot that soared over Jacob Chapman and may be an early contender for goal of the season.

Rangers looked up and running. The beleaguered McInnes’ reign had lift-off. Or did it? A goal on the half-hour mark from Chris Mochrie, which was almost the equal of Dragojevic’s majestic hit, meant nerves were jangling at Ibrox again. This was a real test of their mettle.

McInnes has already found that boyhood allegiance and former player status are not shields to deflect fan anger while making the worst-ever start by a permanent Rangers manager. So this 5-1 win—the first of his reign and the first he has overseen in a competitive environment since Hearts’ victory over Falkirk in very different times—was supremely welcome, and not just because it earned a quarter-final berth.

Despite everything, it’s not unrealistic that McInnes could still lift some silverware before Christmas. For that to happen he will have to overcome Celtic, Rangers’ opponents at the last eight stage. It is the first of two successive and possibly defining Old Firm derbies in September. McInnes is not out of the woods yet.

Depending on what happens in the coming weeks, we might be returning to debate whether he will still be in charge by the festive period. But this victory suggests things might finally be looking up for the 55-year-old.

St Mirren were even ordered to re-take a second-half penalty by perennial Ibrox villain John Beaton. Killian Phillips scored with the first kick but he had taken it before the referee had signalled. The St Mirren player now had a decision to make. Roll the ball to the right, as he had done, or hit it to the other side? He chose the latter just as Ivor Pandur guessed he would.

Although nearly 25 minutes remained the game was all but over in any case. Rangers were leading 4-1 at this stage after James Penrice made a couple of game-changing contributions in as many minutes.

There are dream debuts and then there are dream debuts. Penrice has added to the swelling army of former Hearts players in the Ibrox ranks following his arrival on loan from AEK Athens. The left back’s ‘blind’ pass from the left into the feet of Djeidi Gassama led to the goal that settled Rangers fans’ anxieties seven minutes after half time. Penrice then rifled in number four two minutes later in front of the Rangers ultras in the Copland Stand. His celebration spoke of younger days spent cheering on Rangers, perhaps even from the same area.

He was also briefly a member of the Rangers Academy. He lapped up the applause at the end, as did all the Rangers players. This was a very different scene to the aftermath of the 1-1 draw with Jagiellonia on Thursday evening when the home fans couldn’t wait to see the back of them. That was then, this is now. After all the anger, all the fractiousness, the Bears were positively purring here.

McInnes knew he wasn’t going to get unlimited time to get things going but he is entitled to expect more than five games.

Fragility does remain an issue. Dragojevic looks a bright young acquisition. However, as with so many of his teammates, he is learning how to cope with the pressure of playing for the Ibrox club. One loose pass in midfield was brutally punished by St Mirren: Mochrie easily shrugged off Nico Raskin before thrashing a shot beyond Ivor Pandur from the edge of the box. Worth the entrance fee, as they say.

Naderi led the line in his latest bid to convince Rangers fans of his worth. A first goal since April might help to that end even if it was hardly a collector’s item. He bundled in after the ball looped up when Gassama’s shot was saved.

Dragojevic's right-footed effort from all of 22 yards was the yin to the opening goal’s yang, after Alex Gogic’s clearing header eventually landed at his feet.

It was all to play for after the interval. John Brown made the Union Jackpot half time draw and noted that St Mirren “have something aboot them”. He was right: it didn’t seem over. Not by a long shot.

But what does any of us know? Gassama neatly slipped in number three before Penrice pounced on a fortuitous break on the edge of the six-yard box following a positive run from Findlay Curtis, who replaced a “knackered” – McInnes’ word - Daisuke Yokota to good effect at half time. Another substitute, forgotten man Ross McAusland, tapped in the fifth with 16 minutes left.