He may have lost a yard or two of pace. He may, in short, not be the player he once was.

Yet, there is no doubting the importance of Lee McCulloch to this Rangers team this term and, for that matter, the Ibrox club as a whole. The captain returned to boss Ally McCoist's starting line-up following a seven-week injury lay-off in the match against East Stirlingshire at the weekend.

Despite having trained just twice since recovering from an ankle problem, the difference he made to the Irn-Bru Third Division leaders was clear.

The 34-year-old, operating in his favoured lone striker's role, was easily his team's best player in what was a disappointing opening 45 minutes for Gers.

Single-handedly, he carved out the Glasgow club's best scoring chance in the first half, forcing a fine double save from opposition keeper Grant Hay.

In the second period, McCulloch was instrumental in the home team first cancelling out Andrew Stirling's goal for the visitors and then edging ahead.

After Andy Little, who has moved in front of him in the scoring charts in his prolonged absence, had levelled, Jig scored the all-important second goal.

It was no surprise when the former Motherwell, Wigan and Scotland man was given a rousing ovation as he was replaced by Kane Hemmings late on.

No doubt about it, Rangers have missed McCulloch – his passion, his play and his presence – badly since he was ruled out at the beginning of the year.

The kids who McCoist has been forced to pitch into the fray during the 2012/13 campaign, Lewis Macleod and Barrie McKay especially, have done brilliantly.

But they have missed the influence of a figure who understands, and can shoulder, the unique demands of playing for the Glasgow club.

McCulloch leads by example on the park whenever he turns out for his boyhood heroes and at the same time, cajoles, encourages and scolds those around him.

In his prolonged absence, there was nobody to fulfil that important function and it showed. At times in recent weeks, Rangers had appeared rudderless.

He was heavily involved in his side's comeback in a 3-1 victory that stretched their lead over Queen's Park, who lost at home to Montrose, to 23 points.

"In the first half we were a team of individuals," he said. "It wasn't good enough. We had a chat at half-time and after that we played some good stuff."

If McCulloch can stay fit then the chances are that Rangers will avoid the sort of results they suffered in his absence against Montrose, Dundee United and Stirling Albion.

McCoist afterwards revealed that assistant Kenny McDowall, a man whose influence on the club is less obvious than that of McCulloch, had played a key role in the result.

"Kenny thought that moving David Templeton into the hole and putting Andy Little to the left side would pay off and it did," he said.

"Our performance in the second half was night and day to the first half as a result of the change."

There was another welcome return at Ibrox at the weekend that brought the Rangers supporters to their feet – that of club great Sandy Jardine.

The legendary full-back is currently battling cancer of the throat and liver. His moving pre-match address to the crowd, as well as his appearance in the director's box, both greeted by rapturous receptions.

McCoist said: "Seeing Sandy back was a massive boost for everybody. I thought he was looking brilliant. If anyone is up for the challenge and fight that lies ahead it is him."

Elsewhere, the fact the independent SPL commission chaired by Lord Nimmo Smith last week decided not to strip the club of any of its titles was also celebrated.

A section of the support had let themselves and Rangers down badly the previous week with their conduct at Berwick. Mercifully, everyone at Ibrox on Saturday was once again on their very best behaviour throughout the 90 minutes.

Those billeted in the BF1 section in the Copland Road Stand were in particularly fine voice.

With any luck, the publicity the club received as a result of fans' regrettable choice of songs and the widespread condemnation of their actions have caused those responsible to take stock.

The major test for them, though, will be in the next Rangers away game against Elgin City at Borough Briggs later this month.