Rangers were handed a home tie against Old Firm rivals Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup quarterfinal draw after getting their first win under new boss Derek McInnes at the fifth time of asking when they beat St Mirren 5-1 at Ibrox.
Failure to win any of his first four fixtures had McInnes already under pressure and he celebrated vigorously when striker Ryan Naderi put the home side ahead in the ninth minute with a close-range finish.
Midfielder Vanja Dragojevic fired in an unstoppable shot from 25 yards in the 18th minutes for his first Rangers goal since signing from Partisan Belgrade but Saints' Chris Mochrie reduced the deficit on the half-hour mark with an equally terrific drive.
Two goals in two minutes from Djeidi Gassama and debutant James Penrice had the home side in easy street before Rangers keeper Ivor Pandur saved a twice-taken penalty from midfielder Killian Phillips.
Substitute Ross McCausland made it five in the 74th minute as the home side stylishly sealed a place in the quarterfinal draw.
Looking to bring an end to troubled times at Ibrox, McInnes gave a debut to left-back Penrice, signed on loan from Greek side AEK Athens as the Rangers 10th summer recruit, while midfielders Tochi Chukwuani and Dragojevic came in, taking over from captain Lawrence Shankland, vice-captain Dan Neil and Thelo Aasgaard.
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Shock last-eight side Stenhousemuir from the Championship, who knocked out Premiership club Motherwell 1-0 after extra-time on Sunday, were rewarded with a home game against Hearts.
League One team Ross County will be at home to Hibernian while Kilmarnock host Aberdeen.
The ties will be played across Sept. 12-13.