Kris Boyd made another strong case for a regular slot in the Rangers first team when he netted against Falkirk in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and staked a claim to be involved in the midweek UEFA Cup tie against Panathinaikos.

He helped himself to a goal along with Steven Naismith to extend his side's unbeaten domestic run to 16 games, propelling them seven points clear at the top of the table ahead of Celtic's trip to Aberdeen on Sunday.

Whether he will now be given the opportunity on the European stage remains to be seen.

Jean-Claude Darcheville begins the first of a three-match European ban when the Greeks come calling on Wednesday, while the ongoing confusion surrounding Daniel Cousin's protracted move to Fulham means he is unlikely to be involved either.

Boyd remains the club's top goalscorer, despite his inability to nail down a permanent place in Walter Smith's plans.

A hat-trick against East Stirling was followed by another goal against St Mirren in the SPL but he found himself dropped for cup ties against Hearts and Hibernian before being given the nod again on Saturday.

Boyd and Darcheville were the preferred partnership up front, while Kirk Broadfoot was impressive again at right-back and Steven Whittaker returned from injury to occupy the other flank.

New signing Steve Davis was named among the substitutes for the first time after returning from international duty with Northern Ireland in midweek.

Falkirk were hammered 7-2 the last time they visited Ibrox but even Gers boss Smith confessed the scoreline flattered his own players and did little to reflect how well their visitors performed for the majority of the 90 minutes.

John Hughes' men were resilient against Celtic last week and proved stubborn yet again against the other half of the Old Firm before a lovely piece of passing movement allowed the home side to carve out the first chance of the game.

Chris Burke's lay-off was met by Darcheville charging into the box from the right and he swept across the face of goal to Boyd at the back post but the move was intercepted by Gerrard Aafjes, who cleared the danger.

Falkirk then had a decent chance of their own when Scott Arfield pounced on Pedro Moutinho's cross only to scoop over the crossbar 12 yards from goal.

The same two players combined again moments later when Moutinho's corner broke to Arfield just outside the box and his volley looked destined for the top corner only to dip just over.

The breakthrough came after 23 minutes when referee Brian Winter ruled Darcheville had been fouled by Tam Scobbie on the edge of the box, even though the Falkirk player appeared to take the ball rather than the man.

Boyd stepped up for the free-kick and sent a ferocious low effort slicing through the Falkirk wall and into the back of the net to claim his 15th goal of the season.

Falkirk could have restored parity almost immediately. Again, the delivery came from Moutinho but, this time, it was Aafjes who tried his luck and he connected well with the header only to nod just over.

Darcheville then embarked on a strong run, charging past Jack Ross and Kenny Milne, only for Robert Olejnik to race from his line and smother at the striker's feet before he could pull the trigger. The home fans screamed their disapproval but no penalty was forthcoming.

Rangers spurned the opportunity to extend their lead shortly after the restart. Darcheville squeezed across the goalmouth from a tight angle and the ball finally fell to Barry Ferguson at the back post a couple of yards out. The flag stayed down but the skipper somehow managed to prod wide.

Goalscorer Boyd was withdrawn for Naismith with just over 20 minutes remaining and the substitute was immediately involved in the action, delivering a great ball from the left to the onrushing Ferguson, who was left holding his head in his hands again when Olejnik pulled off a great save to tip the ball just over.

The Austrian keeper was in fine form again moments later, this time denying a smart shot on the turn from Burke by clawing the effort away from the gaping goal.

But he was left plucking the ball out of the net with just two minutes to go as Naismith sealed the win when he dispossessed Darren Barr before rifling home from 10 yards.

Teams:

Rangers McGregor, Broadfoot, Cuellar, Weir, Whittaker, Ferguson, Hemdani, Burke, McCulloch, Boyd (Naismith 66), Darcheville (Novo 83).

Subs Not Used: Alexander, Davis, Dailly, Furman, Fleck.

Booked: Whittaker.

Goals: Boyd 23, Naismith 89.

Falkirk Olejnik, Ross, Barr, Scobbie, Milne (Latapy 54), Cregg, Moutinho (Clarke 61), Aafjes, Finnigan, Arfield, Barrett.

Subs Not Used: Supple, Bradley, Mitchell, Stewert, Robertson.

Att: 48,590

Ref: B Winter (Scotland).