Dunfermline boss Jim Jefferies claimed experience was what mattered at East End Park as Rangers ran out 4-0 winners.
He felt the Light Blues had plenty of players who had been there and done it, while the Pars on show in this League One clash were mostly youngsters.
Fraser Aird broke the deadlock midway through the first half and Nicky Clark doubled the lead early in the second period.
Nicky Law added a third goal for Ally McCoist’s side and Robbie Crawford rounded things off with a fourth in stoppage time.
“The difference between the two sides was that their experienced players all played well while we didn’t have any experienced lads at all on the pitch,” said Jefferies.
“Also, Rangers got criticism for only drawing against Stranraer at home last time out but they played really well tonight.
“I am not going to criticise our boys too much as they gave it their all and this was a bonus game for us.
“We were very positive in the way we set the team up and even when we were 3-0 down we were lined up 4-3-3.
“Experience was always going to tell, though, and that was the case tonight.
“We won’t get too down about it because the games we are most concerned about are the ones outwith Rangers.
“There are a lot of positives for Dunfermline.”
Jefferies added: “The lads are down and I’m glad about that because it shows that they care about the goals they conceded. But there was nothing to be ashamed of.”
Moving into the new year, the Pars have two major injury concerns.
Young Ryan Williamson was carried off on a stretcher with an ankle injury, while Josh Falkingham appears to have broken a bone in his hand.
“Both are away for X-rays so we will have to keep our fingers crossed on that score,” added Jefferies.
Rangers boss Ally McCoist, meanwhile, was understandably a happy man.
“I was absolutely delighted with the performance from start to finish,” he said.
“I thought we were unlucky to only be winning 1-0 at half-time. We got what we deserved tonight and it could have been more.”
he added: “I can’t say the league is over and I never would say it and be disrespectful to the opposition.
“But what I will say is that was a big three points for us. Coming off the back of the Stranraer result, everyone was looking to see how we would react.
“We were playing the team closest to us and they were making one or two noises about the game.
“They felt they were unlucky in the last game at Ibrox and they are a good team but I felt the better team won on the night there’s no doubt about that.
“It was the complete opposite from Stranraer. I was delighted from start to finish.”
McCoist said the game boasted an “old-fashioned cup-tie atmosphere.”
“There’s been a lot of hostility towards our club and that was the case tonight. We used to love that and our boys looked like they loved it too.”