THE GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST era could not have started any better as his bandwagon continues to gather yet more pace.

Rangers are starting fast, there is a patient zip to the play and more importantly, the players look like they have all bought into his philosophy.

None more so than Alfredo Morelos, but I’ll get to him in a minute.

We are scoring first, protecting the zero and no longer look soft-centred. Victories on the road at Livi, Hibs and Hearts with a convincing draw in Lyon sandwiched in between may not have looked possible a month ago. It is what this squad is capable of and should be doing, however, they looked flat and stale.

As we spoke about waiting for them to click back into gear, I never once thought of asking the question that may just have proved true: What happens if a new manager is required to spark this team into life?

It was lacklustre, but I never considered the above to really be the issue. Maybe it was less about the manager and more the message had stopped getting through.

Why do I say that? Well, a month on and the difference is night and day in attitude, application and performance for individuals and the team. That brings me to Alfredo who looked devoid of interest a month ago and turned in a dismal performance at Hampden.

READ MORE: Rangers' tempo 'breaks the block' as Giovanni van Bronckhorst's 'abundance' of tactics pays dividends

Now, he has scored three on the bounce for the first time in years, five under Gio in seven. But what is more vital is that he has his hunger back. That spark and application, which is essential to his game, has returned with a vengeance. The forward even looks like he has lost a pound or two and the acceleration to set up our second goal against St Johnstone was like Alfredo of old.

There has been a massive attitude swing. Perhaps as he now leads the line, as the old Buffalo used to, he is once more loving his football.

That huffy petulant and lazy attitude witnessed at the national stadium seems so long ago. I said this could still be his team IF he got his finger out. If not, his Ibrox career was over. 

After just a month under Gio, he's far more resemblant of the player that so quickly became a fans favourite. I make no apologies for giving it to Alfredo so tight - his application deserved it. Just as he merits praise now for his upturn in form.

And that brings me back to the original question which for Alfredo is more of a statement: Did Alfredo need new management to spark his game back into life?

READ MORE: Three burning issues as Rangers record fifth straight Premiership win under Van Bronckhorst

Sometimes things burn out, sometimes things come to an end but this team is nowhere near its ceiling as yet. A new voice, a new philosophy, a new enthusiasm and they look well in the groove.

If the United game goes ahead as expected, Rangers have four games to negotiate before the winter break.

If those fixtures are managed as Gio's stint has been to date, the winter break will arrive with a revitalised Rangers leading the way.

This team have the momentum again, they are quietly efficient and look tactically flexible depending on the opposition. That's in spite of limited training ground time.

Forget about what anyone else is doing, because our only priority is what is happening at this club and on our pitch. Time to kick on once more because everything is there for this team.

Those that follow this column will often read me saying about how capable this group is and this form and relentless level of performance signifies they're believing again.

Gio’s style is patient, ball-retention orientated, quick and clinical when it needs to be. It’s controlled, organised and pragmatic in other moments.

Rangers are ready and rolling, now for the next stage which could just see us step closer to where we want to be. It's full steam ahead in the Van Bronckhorst Era - and I’m loving it so far.