RANGERS returned to action for the first time since their Old Firm win with a comfortable victory over Uzbek champions Lokomotiv Tashkent in Dubai.

Steven Gerrard’s side have spent the last week in the Middle East as they prepare for the second half of the campaign, which will begin with the Scottish Cup clash with Stranraer on Friday evening.

And this one-sided 90 minutes – played in cold and windy conditions more familiar with Glasgow than Dubai - was a routine way for the Light Blues to get back up to speed as they ran out 6-1 winners.

It took Rangers just eleven minutes to open the scoring as Brandon Barker slipped in Sheyi Ojo down the right. The cross was low and the finish from Jermain Defoe was clinical as he converted from six yards out.

It was clear early on there was going to be little threat from Tashkent and the lead was doubled before the half hour. Ojo got the goal this time with a sweetly struck strike into the top corner.

Ibrox kid Nathan Patterson had been an impressive performer in the first half but he would only get 45 minutes as Gerrard changed his entire side for the second period.

Within minutes, it was 3-0. Steven Davis collected the ball in the middle of the park, drove forward and rifled home a strike that left the keeper with no chance.

Rangers continued to dominate proceedings and the fourth goal of the afternoon was headed home by James Tavernier.

Ryan Kent provided the assist from the left and the Gers captain scored at the back post. It was the last action for both, with James Maxwell and Kai Kennedy taking over.

A moment of slackness allowed Tashkent to net a consolation with 12 minutes remaining as Abdullaziz Yusupov beat Andy Firth from the edge of the area.

But Greg Stewart netted twice in the closing stages as he converted from the penalty spot and then finished well after neat play from Jordan Jones.

Rangers first half: Foderingham, Patterson, Edmundson, Katic, Barisic, Jack, Aribo, Arfield, Ojo, Barker, Defoe

Rangers second half: Firth, Tavernier (Maxwell), Goldson, Flanagan, Halliday, Davis, Docherty, Kamara, Jones, Kent (Kennedy), Stewart