ONE race is over ...

the other is now very much on.

As a couple of thousand fans in Light Blue celebrated in one corner of Easter Road, tens of thousands in maroon would have rejoiced across Edinburgh.

March may not have come to a close but, as a result of Hearts' skill and relentless form, and a series of performances and results from Rangers that is up there with the worst ever produced by a Gers side, the SPFL Championship now officially has a winner.

Rangers' ambitions of adding their name to the trophy were, of course, extinguished some time ago as their campaign unravelled in quite spectacular fashion but their season, their dreams of promotion, are far from finished.

A 2-0 win over Hibernian at Easter Road confirmed Hearts' status as champions, and worthy ones at that, but Rangers have their eyes on another prize.

Having fallen to third in the table, and seen questions raised over whether they would even make the play-offs, the Light Blues have the bit between their teeth. This could be the turning point in their season.

After seeing his side drop four points against the bottom two teams in the division, it was to prove third-time lucky for new Ibrox boss Stuart McCall.

Time may not be on his side as he looks to transform Rangers' fortunes and save their season, but he certainly has the backing of his squad and the Gers support, who chanted 'Stuart McCall's blue and white army' as they celebrated a hugely significant victory and three points, earned through goals in either half from Lee Wallace and Kenny Miller.

McCall stuck to his plan of experimenting and chopping and changing for his third match in the dugout, but it wasn't just the personnel that were different this time. The return of Bilel Mohsni saw Rangers switch to a 3-5-2 formation, the Tunisian partnering skipper Lee McCulloch and Marius Zaliukas at the heart of the Light Blues rearguard.

There was also a recall for striker Miller as Kris Boyd and Tom Walsh dropped out of the side - and the squad - from Tuesday's draw at home to Alloa.

It was a line-up and a set-up that wouldn't have increased confidence levels among the away support as they took their seats in the capital, but they headed for home toasting their manager and his players.

Having seen signs of improvements, despite the results in his first two matches, McCall will be more than heartened when he reflects on his third. His tactical tweak undoubtedly paid dividends, but it was the desire and the workrate from his players that was most noticeable.

This was a side with a fire in their belly and a belief in their minds once again. If McCall can harness that, and grow it, then his side have a fighting chance of taking second prize and clinching a Premiership place after all.

Rangers have suffered their fair share of bloody noses against Hibs this season, but they found a way to get off the canvas and ensure they were not out for the count. For the first time in a long time, this looked like a side that were up for the fight.

Just before the break, they landed the first significant blow of the bout.

Nicky Clark collected a raking free-kick from the quick-thinking Mohsni and delivered a dangerous ball into the area that Miller missed and Darren McGregor challenged for. When it broke to Wallace, he made no mistake as he fired the ball into the roof of Mark Oxley's net.

The left-back opened his heart last Friday as he reflected on a miserable season on the park, a heart-breaking few months off it, the prospect of a 'wasted' three years should Rangers fail to win promotion this term and pondered the end of his international ambitions.

On his return to Edinburgh, he recaptured the kind of form that got him into consideration for Scotland in the first place. This was much more like it.

Time and again he was an outlet for Rangers as he patrolled the left flank like he was on tram rails like those that now adorn the streets of the capital.

Having scored the first goal, Wallace played an instrumental, if controversial, part in the second as he again drove towards the Hibs goal with just minutes remaining.

Stubbs and his players were convinced there was a foul on Paul Hanlon but, as Hibernian stopped, Rangers continued, and Miller finished well before wheeling away to join the delirious travelling support behind the goal and earn a yellow card for his over-celebration.

At the scene of one of their most embarrassing afternoons as they lost the Ramsdens Cup final to Raith Rovers last season, and at the venue where the doomed reign of Kenny McDowall got off to a start from which he never recovered, the shoots of recovery started to appear for Rangers as thousands of green seats became visible and the home fans headed for the exits.

Now nine points clear of Falkirk, only a handful of wins are required from the remaining eight fixtures to ensure their place in the play-offs, but it is on second spot their sights are firmly fixed.

The joy of victory, the relief of meeting the expectations, was encapsulated by Wallace as the players and supporters celebrated as one come the full-time whistle, the 27-year-old thumping the badge on his chest and roaring with delight. It might not be the last time this season.