Defending champions and favourites Glasgow Rangers cracked two second-half goals within two minutes to seal this emphatic International Youth tournament victory at National Stadium last night.

The American side were competitive for much of the match but once Rangers slipped into top gear to take a 3-1 lead after 75 minutes, there was never any doubt about the final outcome.

Another goal soon after stretched the Scots' lead even further, flooring a US team that had earlier shown a lot of potential.

Although the score ended up being one-sided, Rangers had earlier been made to sweat it out against spirited opponents.

Rangers, whose under-19 team won this title a year ago, were the sharper of the two sides in the first half and took a deserved 1-0 lead after 15 minutes when Scott McQuade headed home a free kick by Mark Fotheringtham.

They were unfortunate not to add to that lead seven minutes later when US goalkeeper Daniel Clay advanced to snatch the ball from the foot of the talented Steven Caullay as he attempted to shoot home from close range.

Inspired by midfielder Filippo Chillemi, the US fought on gallantly but Rangers held their edge until striker Charles McGinty levelled the scores by firing home a cross from Justin Towns.

Rangers re-established their one-goal lead after 43 minutes when Caullay smartly headed home a cross by McQuade to make it 2-1.

The level of play disintegrated when action restarted and as a consequence neither team were able to create many openings with good approach work often breaking down outside the penalty box.

But the US were unlucky after 65 minutes when substitute Antonio Myers hurried his effort over the bar as he was challenged by a defender just 11 yards out.

That scare seemed to alert Rangers who counter attacked a minute later only to see Clay in the US goal quickly advance off his line to make a point-blank save from Caullay.

It was during the final 15 minutes that Rangers lifted the tempo, taking complete control as the US seemed to tire during a warm, humid evening.

Rangers went 3-1 up after 75 minutes when substitute David Matthews netted from close range and the final goal came when Ian Russell put a shot home from an acute angle on the right.

The US might have pulled a goal back eight minutes from time but a good effort by Justin Towns was pushed out by diving goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

Photos by David Skinner HEADS UP -- Glasgow Rangers' Peter Leven (16) watches as his team-mates challenge a United States' forward during action in last night's International Youth Tournament opener at National Stadium. Rangers won 4-1.