RANGERS fans made trips to the likes of Galabank out of a sense of duty and loyalty as the club climbed back through the lower leagues and ticked off the titles on ‘The Journey’. This time, they travelled with real Rangers silverware in their sights.

That ambition is one step closer for the champions. A place in the last eight of the Scottish Cup has been secured and Giovanni van Bronckhorst is now just 90 minutes away from a return to Hampden as he seeks to end Rangers’ prolonged wait for a knock-out winner’s medal.

This victory over Annan was as straightforward as the 3-0 scoreline suggests as Filip Helander, Kemar Roofe and Fashion Sakala won the game in the first half. Further goals should have come after the break but they were ultimately not needed as the cold, wind and rain made for an unpleasant evening.

The glamour tie with Borussia Dortmund now awaits for Rangers. Here are five talking points as attentions turn from the Scottish Cup to the Europa League.

MENTALITY WAS KEY TO RANGERS’ SUCCESS

It was no surprise to see Van Bronckhorst opt to make eleven changes from the side that beat Hibernian in midweek as he used the Annan tie as the ideal opportunity to give some of his players a much-needed run out.

Regardless of those that the Dutchman selected, Rangers were always going to be too strong on paper for their League Two hosts. This fixture, then, was all about their approach.

If Rangers weren’t focused and motivated, it would have turned into a long and potentially tricky evening. As it was, the champions made life easy for themselves with a professional performance and a clinical first half showing.

Helander’s header after just six minutes removed any fears over their progression and the job was more than done when Roofe and Sakala made it 3-0 before the break.

A committed and confident start laid the foundations for Rangers and Van Bronckhorst would have been pleased with the way in which his players stuck to the task and strolled into the next round.

CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH A RELIEF FOR CHAMPIONS

The win was always going to be the most important thing for Van Bronckhorst. In many ways, the performance was largely irrelevant on a night where it was just a case of avoiding an upset and getting back to Glasgow with no damage done.

That is the other main positive that the Ibrox boss can take as Rangers emerged unscathed from a fitness perspective. Those that needed game time, for a variety of reasons, got it under their belts and they can now look to build on this run-out.

There is no need to read too much into the individual performances. The level of opposition and the flow of the game makes that a largely pointless exercise in the bigger picture.

But Van Bronckhorst can be satisfied overall as – with youngsters Alex Lowry, Leon King and Charlie McCann also seeing action - this cup tie proved to be a useful outing for many who can take confidence and fitness from a straightforward win.

HELANDER EASES HIS WAY BACK INTO ACTION

Rangers would fear the worst when Helander was injured in the win away to St Johnstone in September and the defender’s absence has been felt just as much as expected.

The Swede would undergo surgery on his knee and was ruled out of action for several months. His return, therefore, is certainly timely for boss Van Bronckhorst as he got a useful hour to his credit.

Some supporters may have been wary about Helander being pitched back into action on the synthetic surface at Galabank but he would get through this cup tie with the ease that was expected.

His well-placed header after six minutes set Rangers on the road to victory and was a heart-warming moment for fans and team-mates who are delighted to see him back on the park.

Given doubts over Leon Balogun’s durability and Calvin Bassey’s ability at centre-back, Helander is surely set to play a key role in the coming weeks. A frustrating campaign could yet have a happy ending for the Swedish stopper.

RAMSEY MUST MOVE THROUGH THE GEARS

When Ramsey got a run-out for the final six minutes against Zenit back in October, he would never have believed his next appearance at club level would come away to Annan a couple of months later.

Substitute outings in the wins over Hearts and Hibernian have allowed the midfielder chances to offer glimpses of what he can do and what he can bring to Rangers following his headline-grabbing move to Ibrox.

His class was evident at times in his touches and movement but, in truth, little can be taken from this 60-minute showing given the occasion and the opposition.

Ramsey should have hit the target when he turned inside the area early on. Later in the first half, he was denied his first goal for Rangers by the offside flag.

With the end of the season in sight, time is of the essence for Ramsey if he is to make the kind of impact that is expected and justify Rangers’ outlay. His first start could well be the beginning of something special for the Welshman.

ALL EYES ON DORTMUND GLAMOUR TIE

It would have been easy for Rangers to allow their minds to drift and focus to shift given the challenge that is next on the horizon. That mistake wasn’t made, however, and having taken care of Annan they can now turn their attentions to Borussia Dortmund.

The trip to Signal Iduna Park on Thursday evening is one to relish and the champions can approach it with a degree of belief having shown the right reaction to their Old Firm capitulation a fortnight ago.

Being able to rest the likes of Allan McGregor, James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos was a welcome bonus for Van Bronckhorst and the big names will return for what will be his toughest challenge as Rangers boss.

The odds will be stacked against the champions in Germany. Rangers have repeatedly shown that they can rise to the Europa League occasion, however, and a positive result in the first leg would set up a cracking return fixture under the Ibrox floodlights.