Kris Boyd grabbed a hat-trick to ensure a dream debut as Rangers fired five past Peterhead in the Tennent's Scottish Cup.

It was the first time a Rangers player had bagged three goals in a debut appearance since Colin Stein's treble against Arbroath in 1968.

Boyd's trio of goals were sandwiched between Sotirios Kyrgiakos' opener and a strike from youngster Ross McCormack, as Rangers eased past the Bell's Second Division club into the fourth round.

As their only realistic chance of silverware this season, the Scottish Cup had taken on extra significance for Rangers, even though Alex McLeish would argue that the Ibrox club were still involved and chasing honours in the Bank of Scotland Premier League and Champions League.

But, with a 17-point gap between themselves and SPL leaders Celtic, there was as much chance of Rangers being crowned champions of Europe than champions of Scotland this season.

That meant they could not afford any slip-ups against Peterhead.

The CIS Insurance Cup tie against Clyde earlier in the season - when Rangers needed extra time to dispose of the First Division outfit - served as a warning ahead of the visit of the Highland club.

The appropriately named Blue Toon had brought the biggest away support of the season but the majority of Rangers fans who made the trip to Ibrox did so to see Boyd in action.

In a week dominated by the build-up to Roy Keane's Celtic debut against Clyde tomorrow, it had almost been overlooked that Boyd would be making his first outing for Rangers.

He almost had a dream start to his debut, when he came within inches of finding the back of the net seconds after kick-off.

It was Chris Burke who did all the hard work, with a mazy run into the box, before setting up Boyd for the shot but the new Rangers signing drilled just wide of the target.

But it was enough to suggest Boyd's arrival would more than make up for the exit of Steven Thompson, who is on the verge of completing a move to Cardiff.

As expected, Rangers pounded the Peterhead goal mercilessly but what they did not reckon on was the heroics of goalkeeper Paul Mathers, who denied Peter Lovenkrands, Nacho Novo and Boyd with impressive blocks.

The breakthrough eventually came 10 minutes before the break when Kyrgiakos provided the opening goal.

Novo met Lovenkrands' corner to direct a header at goal but that was unwittingly blocked by the body of Boyd, who then saw his own effort crash off the post.

The ball was finally in the back of the net when centre-back Kyrgiakos reacted the quickest to rifle home the rebound.

Rangers wasted no time putting Peterhead under pressure after the break and were threatening within two minutes of the restart when Novo tried his luck with an opportunistic drive, which was turned past the post by Mathers.

It was a Craig Tully trip on Lovenkrands which allowed Rangers to double their lead when referee Brian Winter pointed to the penalty spot with 50 minutes on the clock.

Boyd stepped up for the spot-kick and the striker - who had netted 17 goals for Kilmarnock this season - kept his nerve to convert with confidence.

The goal was followed by a burst of the song New Sensation by INXS and the stadium announcer proved to be spot on when Boyd grabbed his second of the day four minutes later.

This time, Novo weaved his way into the box before squaring into the path of Boyd in front of goal and all that was required was a simple tap-in from close range.

Just when it looked as though Boyd could not ask for a better debut he completed his hat-trick.

With 71 minutes gone, he met an Alan Lowing cross to bullet a header past the helpless Mathers as Peterhead threatened to collapse.

It was no real surprise when goal number five arrived just four minutes later; this time McCormack earning the plaudits for a well-struck shot, which deflected off the unfortunate Tully and into the back of the net.

Teams

Rangers Waterreus, Murray (Lowing 56), Andrews, Kyrgiakos, Smith, Novo, Malcolm (Alex Rae 72), Ferguson, Burke, Kris Boyd, Lovenkrands (McCormack 66).

Subs Not Used: Klos, Buffel.

Goals: Kyrgiakos 35, Kris Boyd 50 pen, 54, 71, McCormack 75.

Peterhead Mathers, Hegarty, Tully, Perry, Gibson, Sharp (Robertson 89), Buchan, Hagen, Cameron, Linn (Youngson 77), Wood (Michie 72).

Subs Not Used: McCafferty, Calvin Shand.

Booked: Perry.

Att: 39,870

Ref: B Winter (Scotland).