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Jon Daly scored his first goals for Rangers as they hit Airdrie for six at the Excelsior stadium to make it three wins out of three games in League One.

Lewis Macleod hit the first with a low angled drive and Andy Little smashed in a second before the break.

Robbie Crawford was on hand to shoot home Rangers' third before Daly bundled in at the back post.

A quality Nicky Law finish made it five before Daly rounded off the scoring to leave Airdrie winless in the league.

That came after an exciting opening spell from the hosts who, unperturbed by the first-minute smoke bombs and toilet rolls finding their way pitch-side, spurned two early opportunities they would come to regret not taking.

Willie McLaren was involved in both; setting up midfielder Nathan Blockley to knock wide on the slide before hitting a left-foot shot which Scott Gallacher tipped away excellently.

This goal-glut will be just what manager Ally McCoist would have wanted after a week of off-the-field headlines surrounding midfielder Ian Black and also former chief executive Charles Green.

Airdrie's goalkeeper Colin Stewart saved well from Black, but a few minutes later Macleod did make Airdrie pay for their missed chances.

The Wishaw-born midfielder was played in by Crawford and made no mistake in drilling a low 14-yard shot into the far corner.

Referee Stephen Finnie did not give a penalty when the ball hit the arm of Rangers captain Lee McCulloch from a long-throw, then Airdrie's Jim Lister watched his effort go over after some neat footwork.

Rangers doubled their lead when Daly headed a direct ball from the back into the path of Little, whose job of thumping it high into the net was helped by his marker slipping on the artificial surface.

Immediately after the break, Lee Wallace attacked down the left and sent in a low cross which found its way to Crawford, who made no mistake in firing the ball through a crowd for Rangers' third.

Former Dundee United striker Daly put the ball in with his shoulder from close range to open his scoring account for Rangers.

And if that goal lacked finesse, Law's fifth certainly did not - it was a terrific one-touch finish from the middle of the penalty box when he met Little's low delivery.

Five became six when Daly worked himself some space and shot back across Airdrie's Stewart in goal.

Airdrieonians: Colin Stewart, O'Neil, McCormack, Buchanan, Patrick Boyle, Bain (Hay 59), Sinclair, Blockley, McLaren (O'Byrne 53), Lister (Coogans 73), Coult. Subs Not Used: Duncan, Evans.

Booked: Blockley, McCormack, Buchanan.

Rangers: Scott Gallagher, McAusland, McCulloch, Faure, Wallace, Black (Shiels 76), Crawford, A Trialist, Macleod (Templeton 76), B Trialist, Little (Aird 72). Subs Not Used: Telfer, Gasparotto, Alan Smith.

Booked: Macleod.

Goals: Macleod 19, Little 37, Crawford 49, A Trialist 66, B Trialist 70, A Trialist 71.

Referee: Stephen Finnie