IAN Black had no need to be concerned about the way he would be received by Rangers fans as he made his comeback from a suspension for breaking Scottish Football Association rules about gambling.

It was the Ibrox club's embattled directors - and not, as had been predicted by many, Black - who were subjected to the wrath of supporters yesterday, as the midfielder, whose presence had been badly missed in the previous three games, slotted straight back into Ally McCoist's side.

Black's admission that he had bet on Rangers not to win in a game against East Stirlingshire at Ochilview last season, in which he played, had not been well received. There was, though, not so much of a murmur of discontent about his presence in the starting line-up from anyone yesterday.

His best moments of the afternoon - of which there were many - were applauded warmly and cheered loudly as his fine form continued.

What would the Rangers board give to have the same sort of backing as Black, as what promises to be an explosive AGM draws ever nearer? A demonstration organised by the Sons of Struth protest group let them know - if, for any unknown reason, they were unaware - the strength of feeling against them among their paying customers.

A banner display throughout the stadium in the 18th and 72nd minutes - Rangers were, of course, founded in 1872 - could not be ignored by those seated in the directors' box. Placards were held up in every stand, carrying such messages as "Sack the Board", "Action not Apathy", "Spivs Out", "Give us our Rangers Back".

The emphatic victory Rangers romped to on the field did nothing to placate supporters who have grown increasingly uneasy at the current stewardship. Chants of "Sack the Board" and "Greedy B******s Get Out of our Club" also rang out across the ground as the team rattled in no fewer than eight goals against their part-time opponents.

Black set up the opening goal after just three minutes. He picked out Jon Daly with a free kick and his team mate rose well and headed the ball beyond goalkeeper Chris Smith and into the top left corner of the net. The second and third goals were both chalked up in a far more unconventional manner. In the 16th minute Lee Wallace put Sean Higgins under pressure in his own area and the latter's attempted clearance was diverted by Wallace's foot into the path of Daly to nod home from a few yards out.

Black was instrumental in his side forging further ahead in the 37th minute. His cross found Bilel Mohsni whose downward header was parried by Smith. Kevin McKinlay clearly panicked as Andy Little bore down on him and his rash kick hit the back of his team-mate Ross Smith and went into his own goal.

Five minutes into the second half, Daly completed his hat-trick - with all of his goals coming from headers - when he connected with a curling through-ball from Richard Foster in the 51st minute. Black capped what was, in the circumstances, an outstanding individual display when he teed up Wallace for the fifth goal with a fine piece of vision in the 60th minute.

He sent the Scotland international clean through with a diagonal ball from inside his own half. Wallace made no mistake and drilled the ball underneath Smith.

Daly, substitute David Templeton and Mohsni added late goals to finish off the rout of the team placed third in SPFL League One.