Goals from Tore Andre Flo, captain Barry Ferguson and a Claudio Caniggia brace were enough to put their names on the CIS Insurance Cup, the first time the engravers had been called to do so since the Scottish Cup was won in May 2000.

This was Ayr’s first major final in their 92-year history but despite the scoreline Gordon Dalziel’s battlers were no makeweights, especially in the first half.

The two sides could yet meet again in the Scottish Cup final - but only if Ayr overcome Celtic in the semis next weekend and Rangers beat Partick on their return to the rutted Hampden Park surface.

Having been thrashed 7-0 by Rangers in a Scottish Cup semi two seasons ago, the First Division had made avoiding conceding an early goal a priority.

But they were fortunate to escape in only the sixth minute when Fernando Ricksen played Caniggia into space on the right-hand side of the box. The Argentinian had wasted a similar opportunity moments earlier but this time his delivery was perfect for Peter Lovenkrands six yards in front of goal.

But the Dane, who had spurned a match-winning UEFA Cup chance at Feyenoord earlier in the month, saw his first-time effort parried by goalkeeper Craig Nelson.

Ayr replied with a pot-shot from Paul Lovering before an error from centre back Tony Vidmar, another player scarred by bad Rotterdam memories, created an opportunity for them. The Aussie took his eye of the ball and missed it, allowing Brian McLaughlin an unimpeded run on goal.

But Vidmar recovered his ground to tackle just as the ex-Celtic man pulled the trigger.

Ferguson, who had taken a pain-killing injection to play despite his rib problem, produced a superb chip to put Caniggia in behind the home defence.

The Argentinian’s first touch was first class to bring the ball under control but the second the shot was weak and Nelson gathered easily.

That was let-off number two but Ayr were determined it would not be one-way traffic this time and Ferguson had to make a saving tackle in the box to block a James Grady effort after Bert Konterman had gifted away possession.

Rangers then had to repel a series of set-pieces before Stefan Klos made a magnificent save to deny McLaughlin, who had spotted him off his line and attempted a chip.

It was heading for the net but the back-tracking German stuck out an arm at the last moment to deny the diminutive striker, only playing because Eddie Annand was suspended, a memorable opener.

Rangers were roused into action and, following a typically disappointing Lorenzo Amoruso free-kick, Russell Latapy curled a left-footed effort inches past a post.

But still Ayr harried their opponents. Pat McGinlay’s attempts to win a penalty were spotted as obviously counterfeit by referee Hugh Dallas but he soon forced Klos into another top-quality save, this time a tip-over from a perfectly-struck 30-yarder.

The First Division side could legitimately claim to have had the better of the first half but they still went in a goal down.

Caniggia was the architect of the 43rd-minute strike with a run at the Ayr rearguard and when he slipped the ball to Flo the lanky striker, who had hardly had a kick all game, knew it was the type of chance he thrives on.

He had the time, he had the space and he had no difficulty steering the ball across Nelson and in off the far post.

It was to be his only significant contribution to the game. Ayr created a good equalising opportunity within two minutes of the restart but Neil Duffy headed over from a corner move that saw John Hughes knock the ball back invitingly.

It was a costly miss as within seconds Lovering brought down Latapy, his former team-mate at

Hibernian, at the other end to concede a penalty. Ferguson sent Nelson the wrong way to convert the spot kick.

Latapy passed up an opportunity to make it 3-0 on the hour when Caniggia laid the ball back to him eight yards in front of goal only for the Trinidadian international to balloon it over the bar.

Ayr were a spent force now and were relieved to see Konterman head a Latapy corner just over. Ferguson curled a free-kick just past a post before Caniggia wrapped things up with a superb third.

Winger Neil McCann, who had come on for Lovenkrands, supplied a low cross from the left and the Argentinian’s hopes of a World Cup call-up were boosted by the quality of his finish, steering past Nelson before the ball had bounced.

A winners’ medal was McCann’s and he was set for another souvenir in the shape of a black eye when Hughes caught him with his fist as the two tussled.

Lovering prevented another, clearing a Ricksen header off the line after another substitute, Billy Dodds, had found him unmarked at the back post.

Duffy almost managed the same feat in stoppage time when a Ricksen cross found Caniggia’s head at the far post but referee Dallas ruled the ball had crossed the line and Ayr were forced to accept a four-goal beating.