BBC SPORT | Football | CIS Ins Cup | McLeish credits Caniggia

Alex McLeish credited Claudio Caniggia as the man who had inspired Rangers as they ended a 22-month trophy drought.

But his players pointed to a half-time roasting by the Ibrox side's manager as the turning point as they went on to complete a 4-0 victory over Ayr United in the CIS Insurance Cup final.

And they saw the struggle they had in overcoming their First Division opponents as a timely warning ahead of next weekend's Scottish Cup semi-final against Partick Thistle.

The CIS Cup was a first trophy for Barry Ferguson as Rangers captain and McLeish as manager.

Rangers boss Alex McLeish
Alex McLeish praised Ayr's performance

Ferguson said: "It's something I have always dreamed about.

"To be fair, I thought Ayr were the better team in the first half.

"But the manager gave us a rollicking at half-time and it paid off."

Ferguson again sidestepped questions about this possibly being his last season with Rangers before a move to the English Premiership.

"I am a Rangers player and have won my first trophy as captain, so I am not wanting to talk about that," he said.

McLeish said: "I am thrilled by the whole thing. Hopefully this is the first of many.

"We were a bit slack in the first half, but we were much more like ourselves in the second.

"Caniggia was inspirational and his run for the opening goal was fantastic."

Claudio Caniggia scores his first and Rangers' third goal
Argentine Claudio Caniggia scored two goals

He had words of praise for Ayr, who had been unlucky to go behind just before the break.

"They showed us scant respect and upset our back guys," said McLeish.

Norwegian striker Tore Andre Flo opened the scoring just before the break but admitted: "We were lucky to be ahead at half-time."

Midfielder Bert Konterman hoped that his side could build on their Hampden win by lifting the Scottish Cup and winning more silverware next season.

First they must defeat Thistle and the Dutchman added: "This was a good exercise as we now know how first division sides can play."