RANGERS maintained their perfect start under Giovanni van Bronckhorst in the Scottish Premiership with another impressive display against basement boys St. Johnstone.

The Light Blues had to be patient as they tried to break down a resolute Saints defence but finally made the breakthrough two minutes before half-time thanks to an Alfredo Morelos header, his fifth goal in six games, before adding the second four minutes after the restart when Ryan Kent tapped home after being teed up by the Colombian.

It’s now four straight league victories for van Bronckhorst including three consecutive clean sheets. Not to mention Europa League qualification with a win over Sparta Prague and an impressive point gained away to Lyon.

The feel good factor is well and truly back at Ibrox.

As Rangers were closing in on their straightforward victory over Callum Davidson’s men, it looked as though the night would end even more positively when news filtered through that Celtic were being held by Ross County.

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There is no question Anthony Ralston’s last-gasp winner in Dingwall dampened spirits but, in the grand scheme of things, it really shouldn’t do.

The fact of the matter is, Rangers look back to their best and what’s even more exciting is, they look like they have more to give.

There was undoubted concerns when Steven Gerrard and his coaching staff decided to up sticks and leave after the 4-2 triumph over Ross County last month. With the run of potential difficult fixtures ahead and the Hampden horror show in the League Cup semi final against Hibs, it was a big ask of the new manager to hit the ground running.

However, van Bronckhorst has not only negotiated those tough tests but he’s implemented a brand of football that has the Rangers support purring once again.

Players who were being accused of perhaps not having the hunger they had the previous season are showing a marked improvement, Connor Goldson, Alfredo Morelos and Borna Barisic are three names who spring to mind but there are several others who look revitalised since the arrival of the new management team.

It was interesting to hear James Tavernier speak prior to the St. Johnstone clash in which he said:

“The boss has come up with an abundance of tactics we can do against different opponents and it’s always changing. Sometimes we might be high, sometimes we might be low but it’s just having the right message and doing the things the boss wants us to do.

“So far it’s been so good, we’ve got the results we’ve wanted to get and we trust in the boss and everything he’s doing and all the players are delivering so we’ve just got to keep going, working hard at it, working on those finer details of the tactics, getting used to it. From this day forward, we’re just going to get better.”

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There are a number of intriguing takeaways from the captain’s response to the full backs electing to push forward or sit deeper. The term “an abundance of tactics” highlights just how thorough and prepared van Bronckhorst and his coaching team are when approaching matches. The fact he says “we trust in the boss” shows the buy-in from the players to the manager. Now, of course, it’s easy for players to say that but you truly believe he means it and the performances thus far prove it.

The most exciting phrase used, however, is when he said “From this day forward, we’re just going to get better.”

It’s this belief and confidence that should and will surely excite every Rangers supporter and avert attention away from looking over their shoulder at their arch-rivals escapades.

That being said, as much as Celtic are picking up crucial points to remain within touching distance in the title race, they’re doing so by the skin of their teeth. Last-ditch winners and fortunate refereeing decisions have kept them within four points of the champions but this trend is unlikely to continue.

There is no doubt they are still a force to be reckoned with and while they cannot and will not be written off, should Rangers continue in this vein then it doesn’t matter a jot what Ange Postecoglu is able to muster across the city.