Rangers - 5 Motherwell - 1: Rangers crushed Motherwell in the Scottish League Cup at Hampden Park yesterday to lift the first silverware of the season.

Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos headed two of the goals in a game that also featured a rare opener from Maurice Ross and goals from Fernando Ricksen and Nacho Novo.

Motherwell fell two goals behind within 10 minutes and although David Partridge headed a goal three minutes later it was not to be a lifeline.

The first strike, in the fourth minute, came as Ross, only in the side because Alan Hutton had broken his leg the previous month, timed a run into the box perfectly to meet Thomas Buffel's pass and then lofted the ball over the advancing Gordon Marshall.

With his 41st birthday fast approaching, Marshall became the oldest man ever to play in a League Cup final but his luck was again missing in the ninth minute when team-mate Phil O'Donnell managed to head Barry Ferguson's free-kick over him for Kyrgiakos to head into an unguarded net.

The Greek was doubly at fault three minutes later, however, as Motherwell provided a quick response. First he pulled Kevin McBride back by the shirt and then failed to prevent Partridge from heading Steven Hammell's free-kick past Rangers goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus.

The next goal was always going to be significant, however, and Ricksen was the man who provided it in the 33rd minute when his free-kick from some 30 yards out beat Marshall at his near post.

Marshall had recovered from illness to beat John Burridge's record and Motherwell were also able to bring in the competition's top-scorer, Richie Foran, up front as Jim Hamilton was cup-tied.

With the game already won Rangers made it 5-1 with four minutes remaining, Kyrgiakos charging in unchallenged to head a Ricksen corner in off a post.

RANGERS: Waterreus, Ross, Kyrgiakos, Malcolm, Ball, Buffel, Ferguson, Ricksen, Vignal (Alex Rae 79 mins), Novo (Thompson 84 mins), Prso. Subs not used: Lovenkrands, Khizanishvili, Graeme Smith. Booked: Ferguson. Goals: Ross 5, Kyrgiakos 9, Ricksen 33, Novo 48, Kyrgiakos 86.

MOTHERWELL: Marshall, Corrigan, Craigan, Partridge, Hammell, McBride (Paul Quinn 83 mins), Leitch, O'Donnell, Paterson (Fitzpatrick 65 mins), Scott McDonald, Foran (Clarkson 65 mins). Subs not used: Fagan, Corr. Booked: Craigan, O'Donnell, Fitzpatrick, Corrigan. Goal: Partridge 13.

Referee: M McCurry (Scotland).