THERE have been many low points as Rangers have, slowly but surely, made their way through the lower leagues.

Losses to part-time opponents Stirling Albion, Annan and Peterhead in the Third Division were difficult for Gers supporters to bear.

And this entire SPFL Championship campaign has also been, with a place in the top flight within touching distance, harrowing for fans.

Hearts have romped to the second tier title and at times it has even been doubtful Rangers would finish in the top four and claim a play-off spot.

Elsewhere, League Cup and Scottish Cup reverses to Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Dundee United and Old Firm rivals Celtic have also been painful for followers of the Ibrox club.

The Challenge Cup defeats to Raith Rovers last season and Alloa this season, meanwhile, have been nothing short of traumatic.

Yet, one of the worst experiences, Rangers have endured since their financial meltdown in 2012 came against Queen of the South earlier this season.

The news that Ally McCoist had tendered his resignation as manager broke on the afternoon of the game at Palmerston Park back in December.

To the astonishment of everyone in Scottish football, it soon emerged that McCoist would continue to take charge of the team for the duration of his notice period.

That bizarre situation only lasted a week before he was placed on gardening leave and his assistant Kenny McDowall was appointed caretaker boss.

But, not surprisingly with that sort of preparation for the fixture, the League One champions were soundly beaten down in Dumfries.

Goals from Kevin Holt and Gavin Reilly effectively ended Rangers' slim hopes of winning the Championship title.

The visitors didn't manage a single shot on target.

Nicky Law played in midfield for the Glasgow club that night and remembers it being a demanding and disappointing 90 minutes for everyone involved.

"That night was particularly difficult," said Law. "We're hoping for a far better experience this time around.

"Earlier in the day we heard the news about the manager resigning. It wasn't ideal preparation. Nobody knew what was going on. That was tough."

The Rangers team that will take to the field against Queens this evening, though, will be in a far better place than it was four months ago.

The players have been buoyed by the arrival of Stuart McCall as manager and will go into this game on the back of a three game winning run.

Law, who collected the Man of the Match award for his inspired personal display in the 2-1 win over Hearts at Ibrox on Sunday, is hopeful they can continue their streak.

"We know they're a good side obviously, especially at home," he said. "But we are probably completely unrecognisable from where we were three or four weeks ago.

"Our confidence was at rock bottom. Now it is as high as it has been all season. We are riding a wave of momentum and are looking to take that in to this game."

Beating James Fowler's side, who defeated Hibs away on Saturday and are pushing for a play-off spot themselves, will go a long way towards securing second spot in the Championship.

Finishing as runners-up in the second tier will greatly increase Rangers' chances of going up - as they not be involved in the first two play-off games.

Law, who has hit a fine spell of form since his former Motherwell manager McCall has taken over, is optimistic his team can overcome the fifth-placed side in the division.

He said: "We are three clear in second place and now we can go six clear if we win our game in hand. If we can do that it would be huge.

"It is a massive game for us. We are hoping to replicate the performance we put in during the first 45 minutes of the game against Hearts on Sunday.

"Queens came to Ibrox a few weeks ago and played really well that night. We know they're a good side and they are full confidence.

"But I don't think there is a team in the division with more confidence than ourselves at the minute. The last three games have been great for us. Winning them has given us self-belief.

"Winning away to Hibs and beating Hearts so convincingly has helped to lift us. The first half on Sunday was as good as we have played this season.

"If it wasn't for the sending off then I felt that we could have gone on and won the game more convincingly."

Law continued: "Nobody in the side is taking anything for granted despite the encouraging run that we have been on since the new manager has come in.

"We know there are a lot of good teams in this division and we know we have to play to the best of our abilities every time we take to the field.

"But we are moving in the right direction. We want to keep playing well and winning games so we can go into the play-offs on a high.

"This is a huge test for us, but we are looking forward to it. We are defending well and are creating chances and scoring goals.

"It was a hard experience for us down in Dumfries when we last travelled down there and the performance and the result were disappointing.

"But the circumstances this time are different. I am sure we will have a huge crowd down there to back us, as we always do, and hopefully we can give them the result they are looking for."