By James Smith IF you thought the Rs away trips to Cardiff, Chelsea and Newcastle suggested a minimum return – then maybe it s time to think again. That s because what must be described as a classy performance – and arguably Rangers best of the season t

By James Smith

IF you thought the Rs' away trips to Cardiff, Chelsea and Newcastle suggested a minimum return - then maybe it's time to think again.

That's because what must be described as a classy performance - and arguably Rangers' best of the season thus far - was enough to claim all three points at the new Cardiff City Stadium.

Jay Simpson's first half double earned the victory in south Wales, though Rangers - who were dominant throughout - owed much of the win to a dynamic centre-midfield pairing of Ben Watson and Martin Rowlands.

The duo were at the heart of a show of total football against a promotion-chasing Cardiff side who were never at the races.

After a lively but tight opening, Rangers fashioned the game's first opportunity when Akos Buzsaky received the ball on the edge of the area, but could only blast wide.

The home side looked hurried and nervous in possession - and Rangers wasted no time in taking a 19th-minute lead. Gary Borrowdale found the ball down the left-hand side before sending in a pass to Rowan Vine just short of the area.

Many have questioned whether Vine is capable of reaching the form he displayed before his long-term injury and under the reign of Luigi De Canio - but this display was certainly the Vine of old, as he threaded a clever pass through to Simpson.

It looked as if Simpson might have been offside, but the striker could hardly care as he wheeled away after neatly tucking the ball under David Marshall.

Simpson caused Cardiff all sorts of trouble, and almost notched again just minutes after his opening goal, only to see his effort from the right go agonisingly wide of the post.

The 20-year-old didn't have to wait much longer for that second, though, as he put the Rs in control just before half-time.

After a driving run from halfway, Wayne Routledge played Simpson through on goal with a devastating through ball and the striker drilled home from 16 yards out.

Many would have thought a Cardiff onslaught was about to come, but it never did.

Vine hit the post after the break and then Buzsaky's free-kick went just wide - but those misses were to have little significance as Rangers clinched the victory.