It was never really more than a dream for Ayr United and eventually that died and a harsh realism took over as Rangers eased their way to victory at Hampden Park yesterday.

A goal from Tore Andre Flo just before half-time, a penalty from their inspirational captain Barry Ferguson immediately after, and a third and fourth from Claudio Caniggia allowed the Premier League team to pick up their first silverware since May 2000.

It is not the prize the Ibrox club most wanted, but Celtic are only two victories from the championship title; so this had to be some consolation.

Ayr suffered tantalising moments which could have turned the match. Brian McLaughlin's clever chip was finger-tipped away by Stefan Klos; Hugh Dallas could have awarded them a penalty when Arthur Numan pushed Pat McGinlay; and a fine effort by McGinlay was touched over by the Rangers goalkeeper.

All those chances were created during a competitive first half when Ayr refused to allow Rangers to have it their own way.

The Ibrox team nevertheless created the first chance of the game when Peter Lovenkrands hit United's goalkeeper Craig Nelson from point-blank range. But otherwise in the first half Rangers looked as if they were waiting for things to happen rather than making them happen.

Then, after 43 minutes, Flo clinically finished after fine work by the impressive Caniggia, and the writing was on the wall for Ayr, playing the first final in their 92-year history.

AYR: Nelson, Duffy, Hughes, Craig, Robertson, McGinlay, Wilson (Chaplain 88), Sheerin, Lovering, McLaughlin (Kean 81), Grady. Subs Not Used: McEwan, Sharp, Dodds. Booked: Lovering.

RANGERS: Klos, Vidmar (Hughes 74), Amoruso, Konterman, Ricksen, Latapy (Dodds 77), Ferguson, Numan, Caniggia, Flo, Lovenkrands (McCann 64). Subs Not Used: Kanchelskis, McGregor. Goals: Flo 44, Ferguson 49 pen, Caniggia 75, 90.

Referee: H Dallas (Scotland)