3 talking points as Rangers cruise to Scottish Cup win with Filip Helander netting on triumphant return

Rangers eased into the Scottish Cup quarter finals with a thumping win over Annan Athletic in torrential conditions in Dumfriesshire.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men showed a professional attitude to ensure there was no major shock against Peter Murphy’s League two side.

Filip Helander netted on his first team return before Kemar Roofe added a second for his 11th of the season and Fashion Sakala sent them the Light Blues in 3-0 up at the break.

The heavens opened and on a plastic pitch against League Two opposition, it was the kind of stage that made for a Cup shock.

It was just going to come down to the attitude of the Scottish champions and it didn’t take long to discover they were going to be professional.

They started on the front foot and Helander saw an effort headed over the crossbar by Dominic Docherty.

But the Swede wouldn’t be denied a goal on his comeback as, from the resulting corner, he rose to head home an Aaron Ramsey corner.

The Light Blues were off and running and didn’t have to wait too much longer for a second goal which arrived on 22 minutes.

Borna Barisic had earlier had a free kick saved by Greg Fleming but there was little the Annan keeper could to when Roofe picked up the ball and sent a brilliant shot low into the corner.

Gers should have had a third when debutant Mateusz Zukowski picked out Sakala but his effort hit the crossbar.

However, the Zambian did get on the scoresheet soon after and it was in unorthodox fashion as he lived up to his reputation to expect the unexpected.

Sakala was wide out on the left and he sent in a cross-cum-shot which ended up in the top corner with a bemused Fleming rooted to the spot.

Ramsey had the ball in the net just before half time with a cheeky finish but