Joe Dodoo and Josh Windass on target as Rangers ease to victory

Joe Dodoo and Josh Windass grabbed their first Rangers goals as the Ibrox men all but booked their place in the last 16 of the Betfred Cup with a 3-0 win over East Stirling.

Former Accrington youngster Windass has made an encouraging start to his Ibrox career since moving north this summer.

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And after impressing against Motherwell and Annan in their opening two Group F clashes, the 22-year-old playmaker opened his Gers account as Mark Warburton’s team made it three wins from three against John Sludden’s part-timers.

An early Andy Halliday penalty had the visitors ahead before Windass prodded home 10 minutes before the break.

Gers treated the second period as a training exercise but Warburton did hand new signing Dodoo the last half an hour to introduce himself to the travelling support and he made his mark with a stoppage-time tap-in.

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The Ibrox men are yet to get up to full speed but even the sticky Ochilview plastic pitch could not slow them down as Gers toyed with the Lowland League minnows from the off.

Windass fired wide in the opening minutes before Harry Forrester did the same after Kenny Miller sent him flying in behind the home defence.

East Stirling’s resistance lasted just a quarter of an hour, though. Referee Crawford Allan was quick to spot Ross Fisher’s tug on Barrie McKay in the box and the punishment was a Halliday penalty which fizzed past Darren Dolan’s reach.

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The only surprise was it took until the 35th minute for the Light Blues to double their lead. Halliday sprayed the ball wide for McKay, who wasted little time sending his cross to the back post. Windass’ first shot was blocked by Adam Murray but the 22-year-old made sure he found the net with his second.

Miller somehow blazed over from 10 yards out just before the interval and Rangers were subdued somewhat after the break when Windass failed to return as he limped off clutching his thigh. Forrester and Niko Kranjcar had efforts after the break, while Dodoo could not make an instant impact as his first sight of goal had the sting taken out of it by a deflection.

However, a couple of clever touches from the former Leicester striker hinted there is more to come from the 21-year-old and he made no mistake late on, netting from close range after Lee Wallace laid it on a plate.