After an opening period of the game with few chances, Kirsty Maclean broke the deadlock with a well taken left footed goal. Five Jane Ross goals , a Sarah Ewens double, Mia McAulay strike and Brogan Hay effort sent the Gers on their way as they returned to league action in style.
Jo Potter named three changes to the side that ran out 12-0 winners over Inverness in the Scottish Cup last weekend. Jodi McLeary, Mia McAulay and Megan Bell all came into the team as they replaced Brogan Hay, Lizzie Arnot and Rachel Rowe.
After an even opening 10 minutes at Broadwood with Rangers dominating possession they had the first shot of the game. Mia McAulay cut inside from the right flank and fired a shot at goal, but Megan Sidey did well to hold the effort which was struck straight at the goalkeeper with power.
Kathy Hill was next to try her luck as the Gers upped the ante. The defender found herself well placed on the edge of the area, but her shot went high and wide of the target.
The Light Blues went agonisingly close to going ahead after some clever combination play down the channel. Jodi McLeary found herself well placed down the right side as she sent a delivery from the flank into the area which was met by the head of Sarah Ewens, but her glancing effort clipped the outside of the post.
Moments later the hosts did break the deadlock and it was Kirsty Maclean who found the back of the net for her second goal in as many games. Ewens made inroads into the area before she looked to have overran the chance, the ball broke for the midfielder who placed it into the far corner beyond Sidey to give Rangers the lead.
The advantage was soon to be doubled as Jane Ross scored on her first league start in over 18 months. Megan Bell tried her luck from the edge of the area, the shot was scuffed but it turned into a beneficial pass as the striker picked up the ball in the six-yard box and finished it into the bottom left corner to make it two.
After a period of constant pressure Ross was soon to grab her second and Rangers’ third. Ewens did well on the left side after making a run in behind, her cross was met by an improvised effort from the forward whose initial shot was saved before she reacted quickest to tap home the rebound.
The goals kept on coming this time it was the provider of third Ewens who got herself on the scoresheet. She received the ball from Ross on the edge of area before lashing a low shot at goal, Sidey looked to get behind it but the ball went under the shot stopper and found the back of the net to make it four.
The Gers looked to add to their healthy advantage before the break. After some clever play on the left flank the ball was worked to Maclean who looked for her second as she tried a shot inside the area, but the United goalkeeper did well to make the stop in what was the last of the first half action.
Quickly after the restart Rangers made it five. Captain Nicola Docherty sent a ball down the line which was out with the reach of the defenders. Mia McAulay latched onto it with acres of space ahead of her she had time in the box to pick her spot as she did just that to cooly dispatched a fifth.
McLeary had a great chance to make it six after combing with Docherty. The captain sent a looping cross to the far post which met by the youngster, but she headed over the top from close range on the stretch.
A special moment was to arrive for Jane Ross as she was on hand to seal her hat-trick. A clever free-kick routine saw Bell combine with McLeary; the youngster fired a low cross in which was flicked into the back of the net for the forward to make it six.
The Light Blues relentless pressure counted and that resulted in a second of the afternoon for Ewens. Docherty was well placed inside the area, her pass found Ross whose shot was well cleared off the line before the forward reacted quickest to fire the ball home.
Another arrived just minutes later with Jane Ross helping herself to a fourth of the afternoon as she made it eight. Substitute Laura Berry was set free in behind, her shot was saved before fellow sub Brogan Hay unselfishly laid it on a plate for the forward to score.
There was still time towards the end for Ross to find a fifth before Brogan Hay rounded off the scoring as Rangers warmed up for their Sky Sports Cup semi-final clash on Friday evening.
RANGERS: Esson, Hill (Colson 67), Middag, Docherty (Austin 82), McLeary (Hay 67), Cornet, Maclean, McAulay (Arnot 67), Bell, Ewens (Berry 74), Ross
SUBS: Fife, Martinez
DUNDEE UNITED: Sidey, Wilson, Jameison, Bruce (Robb 63), Smith, Todd, Cusack, Sidey (Taylor 83), Christie (Knight 75), Greenwood, Chuter (Hurrell 75)
SUBS: Frew, Fraser, Robb