GRAEME MURTY was pleased Rangers’ character shone through as they came from behind to ease into the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

Ayr United were dreaming of a fifth round shock on Sunday when Alan Forrest capitalised on a howler from Wes Foderingham to fire them ahead early on.

But Rangers responded in the right manner as Alfredo Morelos and Josh Windass hit doubles and Jason Cummings and Jamie Murphy also found the net.

And boss Murty reckons there were plenty of positives to take from an encouraging showing from his side on a freezing afternoon at Somerset Park.

He said: “It was a difficult game against a team full of confidence. We made it a bit of a challenge with the goal we gave away.

“But some of our play was really good, the chances we created and the ability we have in the team.

“When we start to be a little bit more clinical with the sharpness and cleanness of our passing, we can expand the game and be a threat to anyone.

“I’m really pleased for the guys who got their goals and that we stayed patient. They showed fantastic attitude and good character because that wasn’t easy.

“I would say parts of it were as well as we’ve played but I still think we can get better in our basics and fundamentals.

“Some our play is exhilarating as a coach. You see the tempo we move the ball at, the quality we have in the side.

“I was going to give Jamie Murphy a load of stick because the only thing missing from his game was a goal. He was outstanding.

“He gives us understanding, quality and incredible work rate even though he’s not fully fit yet. There’s more to come from him and the squad.”

Rangers went into the Scottish Cup clash with everything to lose but emerged unscathed and with a last eight berth secured with relative ease in the end.

The Light Blues responded well to their early setback and ran out deserved winners as they turned on the style and hit the goal trail in the second half.

Murty said: “I thought we showed good patience and character. Those are the things, allied to the weather and the crowd, that can make you freeze as a footballer, make you push a little too hard. But we kept our discipline and composure well.

“We scored the goals when we needed to score them. We’ve had games previously when we haven’t scored when we’ve been on top. We managed to do that today which allays a few fears for the players.”