Rangers booked their place in next season's Champions League qualifiers with a comfortable but forgettable victory over doomed Partick.

The result also delayed Celtic's confirmation as Bank of Scotland Premier League champions by at least 24 hours.

Scotland striker Steven Thompson put Rangers ahead with his fifth goal of the season and the afternoon became even less of a contest shortly after half-time when Gavin Rae made it 2-0.

Thompson had been engaged in a physical battle with Thistle's giant Australian defender Adrian Madaschi from the off and both players received a warning from referee Mike McCurry after one clash.

Soon after, another Thompson challenge on Madaschi led to the opening goal.

Mikel Arteta, back in the side following a shoulder injury, fired in a free-kick that Thompson headed away.

But rookie right-back Alan Hutton was perfectly positioned beyond the back post to head the ball back into the danger zone and Thompson slid in ahead of Madaschi to poke the ball past Jamie Langfield from close range.

Langfield had earlier produced a fine tip over to keep out a Michael Mols header, with the Dutchman, captain in the absence of the injured Craig Moore, and the rested Stefan Klos.

Klos' absence allowed his understudy Allan McGregor a rare appearance but he was not tested before the break other than to collect a Fleming free-kick.

Langfield's gloves were far dirtier and he pulled off a fine save to tip an Arteta free-kick from 25 yards round his right-hand post.

Rae fired just wide and Frank de Boer sent a header over the crossbar as Rangers finished the half strongly, with the Jags having earlier survived a penalty appeal for handball by Grant Murray.

Rae doubled his side's lead three minutes after the restart by ramming the ball between Langfield and his near post, with Hutton again claiming the assist.

The move began with a fine flick on the left by Mols to find Fernando Ricksen, who was back following suspension. The Dutchman switched the ball to Hutton, who was alert enough to push a short, forward pass into Rae's path in the box.

Partick fired in their first shot of note soon afterwards but Jamie Mitchell could not hit the target from outside the box.

The game was fizzling out quickly however and just after the hour both sides made changes in a bid to pep things up.

Willie Howie replaced Jean Yves Anis for the visitors and Rangers sent Ronald de Boer and Stephen Hughes on for Thompson and Arteta.

Only once did it improve the quality however - when Frank de Boer picked out his brother with a long ball and Langfield pulled off a fine tip over to thwart a lofted effort - and it was a relief for all concerned when McCurry finally called time.

Teams

Rangers McGregor, Hutton, Khizanishvili, Frank de Boer, Ball, Ricksen, Rae (Walker 83), Arteta (Hughes 62), Burke, Thompson (Ronald de Boer 62), Mols.

Subs Not Used: Robinson, Vanoli.

Booked: Thompson.

Goals: Thompson 40, Rae 49.

Partick Langfield, Billy Gibson, Murray, Madaschi, Fleming, Anis (Howie 61), Rowson, McBride (Bonnes 85), Mitchell, Thomson, Grady (Britton 76).

Subs Not Used: Arthur, Chiarini.

Booked: Fleming.

Att: 49,279

Ref: M McCurry (Scotland).