The five areas of Rangers optimism despite concerning start - Derek Clark

Despite halting a three-match winless run, the 2-1 victory over Dundee United did little to instil a belief that the management team and group of players could mount a title challenge.

Then Sunday happened.

The talk prior to Celtic’s trip to Paisley to face St Mirren was one which likened Ange Postecoglu’s squad to Brendan Rodgers’ invincible side and how they could go the entire league campaign unbeaten.

As it transpired, the Parkhead outfit were humbled 2-0 by the Buddies and that belief that was lacking on Saturday afternoon had suddenly appeared.

Now, despite the result, it doesn’t take away from what has been a largely frustrating start to the season for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men but there are five key points that offer a glimmer of hope for the weeks ahead.

Just two points behind

As bad as Rangers have been in three of the last four matches, they sit just two points behind in the title race. What is perhaps even more frustrating is the fact had it not been for an inept refereeing performance from Willie Collum and losing a mis-hit injury-time equaliser against Hibs at Easter Road then the Ibrox side would be sitting joint top. The mood music around Celtic so far this season is just how impressive they’ve been in swatting opponents away with their high-intensity start to games and suffocating teams with their incessant pressure. Therefore to be within touching distance of the Premiership summit has to be seen as a positive at this stage of the campaign given lacklustre form.

St Mirren framework

Stephen Robinson’s men not only beat Celtic but they also gave hope to other teams in the top flight that they can find a way to beat the Parkhead side. St Mirren showed there is little to fear from Ange Postecoglou's side when drilled and organised. Stephen Robinson clearly had his men drilled within an inch of their lives. They worked tirelessly, didn’t switch off, forced Celtic out wide and hit the spaces on the flanks with pace. There is now a framework upon which smaller teams can get a result against Postecoglou's tactical set-up and the Buddies executed it to perfection. That seeming invincibility is now gone and other teams should take note, hopefully, Rangers being one of them.

Manager pressure

There is no denying it, the recent run of results, Dundee United included, has raised doubts amongst the support that the coaching team aren’t equipped to turn fortunes around. Tynecastle may go a long way in determining if those fans’ viewpoints are indeed correct however van Bronckhorst has responded to adversity before and he still has enough credit in the bank to prove it again. Take the 3-0 reverse at Parkhead back in February, as much as the league chances were severely dented, the players bounced back in Europe and also in the Scottish Cup where they would show character to overturn a one-goal deficit to defeat Celtic in extra time in the semi-final at Hampden. He has shown he can galvanise this group of players and you have to hope he is able to do so again. That being said, should Rangers falter at Tynecastle, the questions around the manager will intensify. A win, however, may just be an indication that he is still the best man for the job.

Rangers Review (Image: Rangers Review)

Antonio Colak

For the first time since Kris Boyd’s first spell at Ibrox, Rangers have found themselves an out-and-out goalscorer. Of the seven summer arrivals, the Croatian has been the standout performer thus far. His predatory instincts in front of goal are there for all to see. Six goals in his first seven league games and nine in all competitions is a great return for someone who is sampling Scottish football for the first time. Rangers have been crying out for a penalty box finisher and someone who is capable of bagging 20 plus goals a season for too long. In recent years, Rangers have often found it difficult breaching teams who adopt the low-block and sit with two banks of five. Colak is the key to unlocking those stubborn defences and at just £1.8m he looks an absolute bargain. The only other foreign players to have hit the ground running in this fashion have been Michael Mols, Nikica Jelavic and Marco Negri. Should he steer clear of injury then 25 goals in the SPFL doesn’t look beyond him. Maybe even, whisper it, 30.

Injury situation

Rangers have been missing several key first-team players for a considerable period of time. It’s unknown when we’ll see the likes of Kemar Roofe and Filip Helander again if at all while Ianis Hagi isn’t due back until after the World Cup at the earliest. Ben Davies has been hampered by knocks while it remains to be seen when John Souttar will return. The one player who fans should get excited about returning, however, is Tom Lawrence. Van Bronckhorst said there was a good chance the former Derby skipper will return after the current international break and that should be music to the ears of each and every Rangers supporter. Like Colak, Lawrence has hit the ground running since pitching up in Govan. He gives that energy, dynamism and goal threat from midfield that is so lacking without him. If Rangers can include him in the squad for the trip along the M8 on Saturday 1st October then the chances of acquiring three points increase hugely.