Mark Warburton says Rangers are relishing the trip to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen on Sunday following their emphatic 5-0 League Cup victory over Queen of the South.

Jason Holt and Andy Halliday had the Ibrox outfit in a commanding position before Martyn Waghorn struck a second-half hat-trick to book their place in the final four.

The win comes as some welcomed respite for Warburton who has had to deal with the fallout from the 5-1 defeat to Celtic and the Joey Barton saga.

Now they face another testing challenge against the Dons - their first league meeting at Pittodrie in five years - and Warburton says his players are savouring the clash.

"The players have been outstanding, all credit to them," the Ibrox boss said after their resounding victory against Queens.

"They've worked really hard and we're looking forward to what will now be a tough game on Sunday but we're relishing that challenge.

"After what happened at Parkhead hard work is the only way of getting better.

"It was a pleasing night's work.

"We asked them to dominate the football in the first half and we did that completely. The only complaint from us as a group is that it was 1-0 at half-time and it could have been more.

"We scored goals but missed a lot of chances as well. The only difference from Saturday against Ross County was that we were a little bit more clinical and it helps build momentum.

"Sunday will be intense but that's why players come to Rangers. They want to play in these type of games.

"It will be a 20,000 sell out and an intimidating atmosphere and they will enjoy that. We are looking forward to the trip north."

Meanwhile, the Rangers boss said he hasn't had to remind his players about gambling offences after it was revealed that Barton - who is already suspended for three weeks by the club following a training ground bust-up - is under investigation by the SFA for allegedly breaching gambling rules.

The midfielder is accused of placing a bet on Celtic to lose heavily against Barcelona in the Champions League but Warburton insisted his squad are well aware of the rules.

"The players north and south of the border know the situation," he said. "There is a zero tolerance policy and that has been made very clear to them."