GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DaMarcus Beasley fought well through more rough treatment in the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League as mighty Glasgow Rangers picked up their game in the second half to beat relegation favorites St. Mirren 2-0 in front of 47,772 at Ibrox.

The Fort Wayne, Indiana product started in his usual left wing slot and played the full 90 minutes. He was rudely welcomed to the game within 30 seconds as St. Mirren midfielder Mark Corcoran bowled him over from behind on a challenge that could have earned the young Saints player a yellow card.

But the former MLS star shook that off 30 seconds later with a great ball poked over the head of Saints defender David Van Zanten, whom he then ran past with his trademark speed and floated an excellent cross for Jean-Claude Darcheville, who could not apply the final touch.

Far from being the statement of intent that it was supposed to be from the Ibrox side, the first half teetered on becoming a huge upset for the team from Paisley, a small suburb of Glasgow that is home to the airport made famous recently by the failed terror attacks.

St. Mirren did not seem overawed by the occasion and were content to push the ball around at the back, while taking their chances at the occasional opportunity. If not for a well timed challenge by Sasa Papac in the eighth minute, the Saints might have been through on goal.

The visitors simply would not go away and should have been one up in the 13th minute as Corcoran's free kick into the box was met by Wil Haining, who drilled a line drive shot heading for the lower right hand corner, only to have it cleared off the line by Papac.

St. Mirren continued to press the action for the remainder of the first half - at one point the visiting crowd started to shout "Ole!" for the consecutive touches the Saints were getting on the ball, with 10 consecutive passes made in the 32nd minute.

Beasley was being marked tightly down the left hand side and continued to receive rough treatment throughout the course of the game. He received the same harsh treatment last week at Inverness Caley Thistle, leading some to wonder if a memo has gone out to Rangers opponent's touting the alleged fragility of the winger.

Saints midfielder Corcoran at times was the American's personal nemesis, hacking him down at least three more times. The effect of some of the challenges forced the former Chicago Fire player to step off for treatment twice during the match (with the crowd once helping him with a chant of "USA! USA!" when he went to the sideline), and was seen limping after one first half Corcoran challenge.

This rough treatment did not deter Beasley, though, and in the 25th minute he took a Kevin Thompson pass to his left before rifling a shot that Saints keeper Chris Smith had to parry away for a corner.

St. Mirren, despite their bright play in the first half, were unable to duplicate that effort in the second half as Beasley and his Rangers teammates started to take control of the encounter. The US star was a catalyst as found wide open space on the left, dribbled to his right past a couple of defenders, but had his shot sail wide right of goal.

Rangers finally broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute. Alan Hutton, who had a very good game at right fullback, drilled a cross into the area that was chested by former Wigan player Lee McCulloch into the path of a driving Barry Ferguson, who lofted a one-time shot over the outstretched arms of Saints keeper Chris Smith for the first goal to give Rangers a 1-0 lead.

Unable to play for the draw, St. Mirren were forced to try to play attacking soccer, but were extremely tired from their early efforts. Saints manager Gus MacPherson summed it up in the post match press conference: "It was only half the job done in the first half. We've been brave, created chances, but we were unable to build on that in the second half."

As Rangers took control of the game, it was only a matter of time before they would net a second goal, and Beasley took it upon himself to help Rangers new signing from Lens, Daniel Cousin, get accustomed to winning ways at Ibrox in the 80th minute.

Playing in the center of the field, Beasley took a sharp pass from substitute Nacho Novo, and skipped past a clumsy challenge attempt to slot a perfect ball for Cousin, who drilled it into the right hand corner.

After that, Rangers essentially ran down time as St. Mirren could not muster an efficient attack. Beasley shifted to the right side later in the game to help out defensively and ensure the Light Blues took home all three points.

In the post match press conference, Rangers manager Walter Smith was happy with his team's performance, but gave credit to a plucky St. Mirren side for their first half display. "They did a good job of filling up the middle of the park, and we started slower," said the coach. "But we picked it up in the second half, and we defended well the whole game."

Rangers now head with confidence into a tough European Champions League Qualifier on Tuesday night with Red Star Belgrade at Ibrox, and then stay home for another week to host Falkirk.

Scoring
RAN - Barry Ferguson 3 (Lee McCullough) 52'
RAN - Daniel Cousin 1 (DaMarcus Beasley) 80'

Line-ups
RAN - Allan McGregor; Sasa Papac, David Weir, Carlos Cuellar, Alan Hutton, DaMarcus Beasley, Kevin Thomson, Barry Ferguson, Lee McCulloch, Kris Boyd (Daniel Cousin 67'), Jean-Claude Darcheville (Nacho Novo 58')

STM - Chris Smith; Alan Reid (12 Richard Brittain 70'), Wil Haining, John Potter, David van Zanten, Garry Brady (Stephen McGinn 77'), Hugh Murray, Ryan McCay, Gary Mason, Mark Corcoran, Stewart Kean (Billy Behmet 86')