THE gamble paid off for Pedro Caixinha. If he is to continue to sit at the table, he needs more big calls to go in his favour.

After adopting a ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’ stance to questions over the harmony within his Rangers squad, Caixinha rolled the dice as he dropped Kenny Miller for the trip to Hamilton.

It was a call that could easily have backfired on the Portuguese, a decision that could have increased the size of the target on his back from a support that are questioning whether Rangers should stick or twist with the 46-year-old.

Thankfully for Caixinha, it went the other way at the SuperSeal Stadium as Rangers ran out 4-1 winners. It could be a defining evening for the Portuguese, or another false dawn for Rangers.

Declan John hit a double before Daniel Candeias netted. After the break, Graham Dorrans, who once again wore the armband, made sure of the points.

Whatever happens behind the gates of Auchenhowie, it is on the park and in public where Caixinha and his side will be judged. A test was passed here, but there are greater examinations to come.

The build-up to the trip to Lanarkshire had been dominated by talk of dressing room bust-ups, Sin City and Caixinha’s future.

It would have been a relief for the Gers boss to be able to focus on football and the 90 minutes that would shape the discussion and mood of fans throughout the international break.

Caixinha expressed his confidence in midweek that his side would show the right reaction to their Old Firm reverse. On a chilly night at the SuperSeal Stadium, he needed a performance and the points.

The omission of Miller from the squad was the main talking point when Caixinha named his line-up but it was the man that returned to the team that kick-started the recovery as John netted twice in four minutes.

Accies had stunned the Light Blues by taking a lead inside the opening 60 seconds as Rakish Bingham spun away from Fabio Cardoso and saw his shot saved by Wes Foderingham. When the ball fell to Danny Redmond, he had an empty net to knock it into as Martin Canning’s side got off to a dream start.

The feelings in the opposite dugout would have contrasted starkly but Rangers recovered well and controlled the game without creating a great deal.

That changed on 21 minutes, though, as John netted his first goal for the club. The left-back picked the ball up and drove at the Accies defence before finding the bottom corner of Darren Jamieson’s net with a low strike.

It was a moment that eased the nerves in the Gers ranks as they hauled themselves level. Soon, they were ahead.

In John, they had an unlikely hero once again. There was a bit of good fortune about this one after he had linked well with Josh Windass down the left, his deflected effort leaving Jamieson helpless as the recovery was completed.

Accies hadn’t made the most of their flying start and the momentum was now with Rangers as they looked to extend their advantage.

Alfredo Morelos should have done just that after Ross McCrorie stepped into midfield and picked him out with a pass that split the Hamilton defence. But the striker couldn’t beat Jamieson as he bore down on goal and a clear cut chance was passed up.

It didn’t prove costly, though, and Rangers soon had their third. It was Candeias that was the saviour for Caixinha this time as he rifled home from inside the area.

The Portuguese sprinted towards the dugout in celebration and embraced assistant Pedro Malta before heading for his manager. It was the first public show of support for Caixinha and other members of the squad then came towards the touchline to congratulate Candeias on his first league goal for the Gers.

The gesture from the winger wouldn’t have gone unnoticed by the Light Blue legions, who will undoubtedly be split on the dressing room dynamics as they ponder what the future holds for both Miller and Caixinha.

It is wins that are the most important factor for the supporters and the manager and that was now in Rangers’ sights. The job wasn’t done just yet, though.

After starting the first half with a bang, Hamilton tried to finish it with a flourish. Redmond was denied by Foderingham as he made a flying save to his left and the hosts returned to the dressing room with it all to do against a Gers side that had a spring in their step.

The next goal was crucial and it was Rangers that had the ball in the net after 52 minutes. It was chopped off by whistler Andrew Dallas, though, as Carlos Pena diverted the ball into the net with his hand after Candeias had picked out James Tavernier.

Having been given an early let-off, Hamilton then had hope when Ryan Jack was sent off after picking up a second yellow card, his challenges on Ali Crawford and Greg Docherty earning him an early bath. Within minutes, that glimmer had gone for Accies.

The wounds were self-inflicted from Canning’s side as Alex Gogic fouled Jason Holt and Dallas had no choice but to point to the spot. Dorrans did the rest with a neat dink down the middle as Rangers made sure of the victory.

Their cause was helped with 20 minutes left as Bingham spurned his chance from 12 yards after McCrorie had fouled Botti Biabi. The striker’s effort was a weak one, but Foderingham got down well to make the save and ensure the closing stages wouldn’t be fraught for Rangers.

The points had been secured, and one had been made by Caixinha. Now, many more need to be gathered if he is to win over his doubters and silence his critics.

It is a long road that lies ahead. Caixinha will hope this proves to be an important step forward.