DRIVING into Annan through a continuing February sleet before playing in a stadium that offers little protection to the elements, Rangers could have been forgiven for taking time to grow into yesterday’s 3-0 win.

Perhaps the solidarity of nearly half the travelling support bracing conditions alongside them, standing in unsheltered terracing, motivated a quick start. Fashion Sakala’s unorthodox finish on 32 minutes was his side’s third and final goal of the day; conditions calmed with the tempo after the break.

All the components of a classic cup weekend featured. Whether that be the stadium announcer telling irregular visitors to "google Annan Athletic" if they had any match-day queries, the team’s appearing to the hosts’ Yellow Peril anthem through a sea of yellow and black flags, or the warm hospitality a proud community club could be expected to offer up.

On the pitch, Giovanni van Bronckhorst was able to reintroduce Fil Helander after a lengthy absence and give minutes to Sakala and Kemar Roofe. All of whom returned the favour with goals and performances that won’t harm further starts. Making his debut at right-back, Mateusz Zukowski looked physically impressive and combined well with teammates in moments.

The hosts had chances, made brave decisions with the ball and at points took advantage of Rangers’ lack of intensity when possession turned over, but the game followed the predictable pre-game script drawn out.

Aaron Ramsey’s full debut was the headline and although still appearing slightly heavy-legged at points nobody could accuse him of disinterest. An away tie at Annan is not the reason he traded Turin for Glasgow, his application and work rate were honest nonetheless.

READ MORE: Detailed Rangers player ratings as Amad Diallo shines and Aaron Ramsey debuts in Annan victory

“It was very important for me because it was my first start in a long time,” he told Premier Sports pre-match. “I was always going to be a little bit rusty, but I’m glad I got 60 minutes in the legs again.

“I’m building everything week by week and hopefully I can start more regularly and help the team. I’m glad to be here and enjoying my football again.”

Ramsey’s impact was usurped by two other January arrivals. Amad Diallo was making only his third start for the club and Alex Lowry, whose first-team breakthrough occurred last month, his third appearance. 

Amad started centrally and after taking 20 minutes or so to adapt, the visitor’s best moments were funnelled through the 19-year-old in midfield. In tight areas, he, like Ramsey, played forwards and took risks while also using that one-v-one skillset witnessed in Dingwall to progress play. The on-loan Manchester United winger is here to play and although he looked lost in the first half at Parkhead, his quality in moments is obvious.

Lowry’s starting role on the bench was a slight surprise given the impact he made in the previous round, not that it seemed to make an impact on the attacker's confidence. Approaching things with a recognisably relaxed demeanour, he demanded the ball and injected excitement into a game that had fallen into predictable and slow-paced patterns after being introduced. 

To be a creative player at Rangers you need thick skin but more importantly, the ability to constantly deliver. Based on recent appearances, is Lowry really that far off other members of the first-team squad who aren’t guaranteed starts?

In a tactical system that encourages and enables individualism, the qualities of Amad and Lowry can flourish and both deserve more minutes in crucial coming weeks.