KYLE LAFFERTY was on top form this afternoon as a strong Reserve side beat Swedish First Division opponents Ostersunds FK 6-1 at Murray Park.

The Northern Ireland international netted a confidence boosting hat-trick as the Light Blues romped to victory in a bounce match they dominated from start to finish.

It was Lafferty that opened the scoring on 15 minutes when John Fleck delivered a pin point cross and the striker rose above his marker to head the ball home from 12 yards.

And just two minutes later Kyle had doubled his side's advantage with another excellent finish.

Fleck was again the provider when he slid a delightful pass behind the visitor's defence and Lafferty cut inside before swerving a low shot in to the far corner of the net.  

It was one-way traffic at this stage with first-team stars Neil Alexander, Nacho Novo, Steven Naismith, Mo Edu, John Fleck, Steven Smith and Kirk Broadfoot enjoying a run-out on a sun-drenched pitch in Auchenhowie.

And on 32 minutes it was Old Firm hero Edu that added a third when his deflected shot from 25 yards flew in to the net having totally wrong footed the keeper.

With the game already won the American midfielder was replaced at half-time by Stephen Stirling.

And when the action resumed Lafferty immediately bagged his third from close range to make the scoreline 4-0.

In the first-half Andrew Little was asked to play in the heart of defence alongside Scotland under-21 stopper Ross Perry.

But in the second the versatile Ulsterman moved in to attack and showed great tenacity to bag Rangers' fifth goal.

Kirk Broadfoot fed a neat through pass to the youngster who managed to stay on his feet in the 18-yard box despite his heals being clipped in the box.

With the keeper rushing from his line Little somehow managed to dink it over his body and the ball trundled in to the net.

With a crucial title run-in coming up for Walter Smith's first-team as well as League Cup final places up for grabs every player in blue showed great hunger, in particular Steven Naismith.

Throughout the 90 minutes he ran himself in to the ground and after Ostersunds had pulled a goal back he finally got his reward.

Little was brought down by a clumsy challenge 20 yards out and Naisy stepped up and curled a powerful free-kick in to the net.

Coach Tommy Wilson was thrilled by the performance and the way his team went about their business.

He said: "That was Ostersunds first game of their pre-season but, regardless of that, our players' attitudes were fantastic.

"If they approach games like that it doesn't matter who the opposition is.

"I thought Kyle took his goals exceptionally well; his first was a great header and his second a very composed finish.

"So the fact he got a hat-trick was pleasing but everybody put in a lot of effort which, as a coach, is what you want to see.

"I took Mo Edu and Nacho Novo off in the second-half but both asked to stay on while Naisy, Kirk and Flecky all said to me at half-time that they wanted to play the full game.

"So their commitment was spot on and the same can be said for our younger lads who clearly wanted to impress.

"Ross Perry and Andy Little worked very hard as did Thomas Kind-Bendiksen who looked sharp once again in the middle of the park."

Wilson was quick to praise Naismith for his contribution. He added: "I have worked with Steven with Scotland before and if you could bottle his attitude and sell it you would be a millionaire.

"He never stops running and his enthusiasm for the game is incredible.

"Even when he was young he had a great work ethic and moaned at referees just like he does to this day!

"But I always say to the lads before the games that when they are driving away from the training ground they have to feel that they have been satisfied with the work they have put in.

"They could all have done that today."

RANGERS: Alexander; Broadfoot, Perry, Little, Smith (Dick 80); Kind-Bendiksen (Wright 75), Naismith, Edu (Stirling 46), Fleck; Lafferty (Kinniburgh 55), Novo (Wylde 65)