RANGERS got the win their armed forces fans were looking for as they consolidated their place at the top of the Third Division with a 2-0 win over Peterhead.
With Remembrance Day coming tomorrow on the 94th anniversary of the armistice, Ibrox rose as one to salute the soldiers who protect these shores both before and during the game.
And with 400 of them cheering on the Light Blues from the front of the Broomloan Stand, they weren’t to be disappointed as they saw their makeshift team earn a solid win.
Goals from Lee McCulloch and Lee Wallace made the difference against the Balmoor side and kept the team two points clear of Elgin at the summit with a game in hand.
As such, Gers are on something of a roll now having earned three consecutive wins in the league for the first time this season.
The 54-times Scottish champions haven’t been without their injury problems lately and they seemed to be at their worst ahead of kick-off.
Ally McCoist had already confirmed he would be without David Templeton, Fran Sandaza, Seb Faure, Kevin Kyle and Kane Hemmings before kick-off.
Things went from bad to worse when central defensive pairing Emilson Cribari and Ross Perry were both ruled out too in the hours leading up to the game.
That meant McCulloch dropped into the back line, Andy Little moved up front and Robbie Crawford made his first senior start.
After a wonderfully-observed minute’s silence in memory of those who died at war started and ended by an artillery gun, Rangers set out looking for an early lead.
But instead they nearly fell behind in controversial circumstances as referee Craig Charleston waved away an offside flag from linesman Raymond White against Rory McAllister.
He seemed to dismiss it believing a through ball had come off a home player last and as the striker hit the bar, it was a lucky escape.
Keeper Neil Alexander had to react smartly seconds later and with the hosts scrambling behind for a corner, they eventually cleared their lines.
Having to make so many drastic changes to his line-up gave McCoist’s hosts a very unsettled look initially and the Blue Toon tried to make the most of that.
But his men slowly found their feet, with Ian Black and Dean Shiels each trying their luck without any success.
The busy Little then had the best attempt yet, an excellent chest down, turn and volley from the edge of the area which whistled just wide.
Skipper McCulloch also went close with a drive from 20 yards but it never really looked like troubling away goalie Mark McCallum.
Black’s swirling free kick after Shiels was fouled did, however, and it had to be tipped over the stop it sneaking into the top corner.
Shiels was also unlucky moments later when he did well to win back possession after losing it, stepped inside his men and bent a lovely effort inches wide.
Peterhead provided a reminder the teams were still level when they hit the upright again with a terrific Ryan Strachan free kick from the left touchline.
And Gers’ responded immediately as Little took advantage of a short passback by David Cox, only to see his resulting shot deflected behind by McCallum.
With half-time approaching, it seemed as though the whistle would bring frustration for Rangers as the game remained goalless.
But after his free kick for a foul on Shiels was helped behind for a corner, McCulloch did what he does best and stepped up to put his team in front as he nodded the set piece in.
It was his 17th goal of what continues to be a tremendous season for the 34-year-old and it gave Gers a narrow advantage at the midway point.
The break in play brought some touching scenes as the forces personnel paraded on the pitch to rapturous applause from all four sides of the stadium.
When the match resumed, things continued in much the same vein with Rangers having much of the ball.
McCulloch was denied with a double shooting chance, Little shot just wide and Anestis Argyriou’s ambitious 40-yarder drifted just too high.
A second goal was coming and when it did, it was executed really well by Wallace midway through the second period.
The former Hearts player won a free kick in a dangerous position and when Black played it in low from the left, Wallace did the rest with a composed finish from 15 yards.
Shiels might had added a third in the closing stages and was unlucky to see his drive hit the outside of the post.
Substitute Kal Naismith should have had more joy too when he linked with the Northern Irishman only to end with a lazy finish that was stopped by McCallum.
As it was, the advantage was to remain at two goals – but that was more than enough to secure another three points.
RANGERS: Alexander; Argyriou, McCulloch, Hegarty, Wallace; Crawford (Aird 81), Black (Hutton 72), Macleod, McKay; Shiels, Little (Naismith 69).SUBS: Gallacher, Wiktorski.GOALS: McCulloch 43, Wallace 67.BOOKED: Black.
PETERHEAD: McCallum; D Ross, S Ross, Strachan, Smith, Noble; Cox (Winters 80), Redman (Bavidge 73), Cowie (Deasley 61), McLaughlin; McAllister.SUBS: Jarvie, Maguire.GOALS: None.BOOKED: Deasley.
REFEREE: Craig Charleston.