Hibs display can't be a one-off for promotion-chasing Rangers

The performance against Hibs at Easter Road certainly pleased all of the individuals who have come into the club. It certainly lifted the spirits of the fans.

It was the first time in a long time I can remember them staying behind at the end of the 90 minutes and applauding the players.

That sort of performance and result is what they expect from their team - and it was long overdue.

Stuart McCall changed the system slightly and it worked. He blocked the midfield, didn't allow the opposition to play and made sure his charges really got stuck in about them.

Rangers did exactly what a lot of opposition teams have done to them this term. They deservedly enjoyed the win.

It wasn't a fluke. The best side by far won. They battered Hibs at their own ground.

That augurs well for the play-offs - which Rangers are looking far more like making now as a result of that win - because they will almost certainly have to take on the capital club.

If Rangers had lost all four league games to Alan Stubbbs' side they would not go into those matches with any confidence. Now, though, they have proved to themselves they can compete with and beat them.

Stuart played a 3-5-2 and very rarely did you see the full-backs dropping back. Lee Wallace had his best game in a long, long time.

He was a revelation making runs from the halfway line forward.

Darren McGregor was the same. The first goal summed up the performance for me. The ball was crossed from the left, McGregor was on the end of it in the six-yard box, and it broke to his fellow full-back Wallace, who scored.

But what really struck me was the effort and energy the team showed. In the last few weeks the players haven't looked fit.

They have been lacking a yard of pace. They looked drained and lifeless.

Teams were closing them down easily and not allowing them to play. Well, for some reason, that is what Rangers are doing to their rivals now.

Stuart said when he took over that in football things can sometimes just click. Well I think that is exactly what happened on Sunday.

There is no doubt in my mind that Stuart has worked them very hard in training.

The benefits of that are obvious. They are nipping at players' heels, taking the ball off them and pushing forward.

They have struggled all over the pitch, in defence, midfield and up front.

But all of a sudden the three at the back were very solid, the five in midfield shut out their opponents and Nicky Clark and Kenny Miller shone. I was delighted that young Andy Murdoch stayed on for the 90 minutes.

He was different class again. He passed the ball well, harassed the Hibs players and worked his socks off in general.

But what the players have to realise is that is the sort of performance they have to put in during the last eight games to clinch second spot in the Championship and boost their chances of going up.

The problem for Stuart now is making sure his players look forward and do the same thing again. His side has to go out against Cowdenbeath at Ibrox tomorrow and do the same thing again.

The side can't dwell on the result and display in Edinburgh. Yes, it was a fantastic day. But it was just one game. They have to go out and do it again.

Knowing Stuart and his assistant Kenny Black as I do, they will have been trying to get inside the heads of all of their players this week to make sure they are focused.

If they have the same attitude and play the same way they will win the game. If they can entertain the punters, score a few goals and win comfortably, it will ensure the fans get behind them again.

Having full houses will help their bid to finish in second place and to get promoted out of the division in the play-offs.

Rangers have often let themselves down playing against teams further down the division - the Alloas, the Cowdenbeaths, the Livingstons. They have to lift themselves once again and prove they are back now. But Haris Vuckic missed out on the Rangers starting line-up against Hibs due to injury.

Young Tom Walsh had to sit the game out altogether. They have been two of the side's best players in recent weeks. So the side can get better when they return.

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