Hibs was the first of three huge Rangers home games I spoke about previously in this column. Three points were necessary no matter how it came about but what we got was some real shoots of recovery in terms of form and play. The intensity and application were much more like it for at least the last two-thirds of the game - what Rangers got was plenty of efforts at goal and ultimately the goals that would win the game.
Now they have to turn this patchy form into a sustained run of wins and it’s this sequence that could create a gap that may prove impossible for others to traverse.
In order to do this Rangers will need to find consistency in selection and squad that hasn’t been available so far but they will also need consistency in performance from the players. Too many haven’t hit the standards of previous seasons.
The frustration of Steven Gerrard was evident when a reporter asked at a previous press conference if a victory over Hibs could "spark the season into life". This was met with a prickly reply although the truth is it was a perfectly valid question that had the relevant context to it. Aside of 45 mins here and there, a lot of the games has been waiting for that spark, even if the manager won’t admit it.
That spark arriving will be enough to take this side onto a level that others won’t be able to live with. Finding it however is the challenge for everyone. Ryan Kent's return could be that catalyst if he hits the heights he is capable of and it is the different dimension he adds that Rangers have lacked.
Of course, it needs Kemar Roofe, it needs Glen Kamara and it needs Alfredo Morelos. The truth is they all need to give that extra 20% and when that happens Rangers will see an ignition. And when better for it to come than now?
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Hearts is the biggest challenge in front of us as it’s the next one and the old ‘one game at a time’ mentality is right. Victory on Saturday and the gap to second is, at the minimum, four points and all of a sudden a team not playing to its consistent best is beginning to stretch a lead that stands as a warning to everyone. Just what will happen when it does click?
Elsewhere at the club, the Women's side face a huge three games as they meet reigning champions Glasgow City and a double-header with Celtic. Both sides are the benchmark having finished higher last season. Rangers have started superbly though, racing to top on the league on maximum points with a huge, plus 30 goal difference.
But the ultimate test is now upon them and they must show they have the capability to hit the challenge of the top sides and not just the cannon fodder of the part-time clubs. That is no slight on the women however who have been ruthless in their approach and form, with goals added by Jane Ross as well as the youthful form of Brogan Hay. New signing Tessel Middag is beginning to settle and add steel to the midfield and when the full-backs are as potent as Rachel Mclauchlan and Nicola Docherty then chances will come.
So just like the men it’s crunch time for the team and all across the club, there is pressure to deliver and pressure to succeed.
That’s the beauty of life at Rangers, every game is big and a must-win, no matter the level or challenge in front of you. If you wear the badge then the name on the back of the shirt is irrelevant, because the challenge set remains constant and the demands unyielding. Rangers is all about winning. It’s all about prizes and that ultimately means form is arguably immaterial.
As much as we need that spark, as much as we want that swashbuckling attacking masterclass, it doesn’t really matter as long as the results come. Win against Hearts, win against Brondby or even win against Glasgow City, it’s important only that the results come.
For years we have asked for a team who had the other side of it, the desire, the determination, the ability to grind it out and show what champions are made of. So as much as I talk about creative sparks, the three points carry more weight than ever.
Dundee away was the most turgid of performances but a result moved us forward as others around us stumbled. You don’t get any more points for playing nicely and being top of the ‘hitting the post’ or expected goals charts after all.
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So perhaps now we are beginning to understand the manager's frustration at being asked if the spark is needed from somewhere. The only spark is three points, the rest will come naturally.
Rangers are built to win, we are built to deliver silverware and it doesn’t matter if it’s 8-0 or 1-0 as long as we deliver. No one will moan if we get the results in the upcoming matches.
So does that make the manager right all along?
He asked: "Are you not happy we are top of the league?"
Well as long as we stay there, starting this weekend for all parts of the club. Hearts, Glasgow City, Brondby or Celtic, Rangers are built to win.
If the women's team find themselves knocked off the top of their newfound perch this weekend then all the form of previous weeks will be forgotten and nobody will care that they beat Aberdeen 8-0. Whereas the men's team could get past Hearts on similar form as weeks before and the only thing that will matter is the result. Form is secondary to the ultimate prize.
So yes bring me the good form, momentum and the big wins. Bring me good performances and individual brilliance, bring me that consistency. But ultimately it is secondary to keeping winning.
So now, do we understand the manager’s frustration?
He’s told often enough that the only thing that matters is winning and when he delivers he is 'missing a spark', so it's no wonder he’s asking the question.
Life at Rangers eh? We are a demanding bunch. Three points first are surely the minimum, everything else comes later.
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