Rangers boss Walter Smith hailed a last-ditch League Cup win over Partick Thistle as proof of the quality in his squad.
First division Partick looked set to take the third round tie to penalties after Stephen McKeown had cancelled out Kris Boyd's stunning early volley.
But the trophy holders sealed their progress to the last eight thanks to a superb, swerving strike from midfielder Pedro Mendes five minutes from the second period of extra-time.
Smith said: “Kris's goal was terrific, one of those where you were wondering what he was going to do. It was a great finish and that's just what Kris Boyd does.
“Pedro's goal was a good one as well. It took that to win the game and it was always going to take a couple of terrific goals to go through.
“It was a relief to go through and it was a really good cup tie that looked like it was going to go to penalties. We knew it was going to be tough.”
Smith went on to back Thistle's bid to join his side in Scotland's top flight next season.
“They are one of the favourites to go up and I'm sure if they keep playing like that they will do it. They played like an SPL team and we were very happy to get through.”
Partick boss Ian McCall said Mendes's late winner had left him “gutted”.
“We are devastated because we have a top-class goalkeeper and, if the game had gone to penalties, we would have fancied our chances.
“Their winning goal was a hell of a finish and that's why they get paid so much I suppose.”
In Wednesday's other ties, Irishman Conor Sammon scored twice as Kilmarnock emerged victorious from a 4-2 thriller with Aberdeen while Hamilton beat local rivals Motherwell 2-1 thanks to an extra-time winner by Frenchman Stephen Ettien.
