THE journey will take longer than expected ... but the delay could prove to be a blessing in disguise for Rangers.

It may only have been a couple of months ago, but the pain of the play-off defeat and the realisation that they faced another season in the Championship has long been forgotten at Ibrox.

The progress made since has been quick and impressive, and there is a determination to look forward to what they hope will be a bright future and not back at what was one of the worst campaigns supporters have lived through.

Now, with a new manager and an overhauled squad in place, Rangers are confident they will not make the same mistakes again.

The signs so far have been encouraging, the 3-1 win over St Mirren getting the Gers off and running in the league under boss Mark Warburton.

Nicky Law was the best man at his brother Josh’s wedding in New York just days after the Fir Park horror show that ensured top-flight safety for his sibling’s side.

And the midfielder reckons the outcome may have been the best thing for both of them as Rangers continue on the road to recovery.

"He flew to his wedding from London and I flew from Manchester!,” Law said. “That disappointment kind of summed up the whole season for us. Whoever had won that there would have been no gloating because we both had disappointing campaigns.

“Someone was going to be disappointed and unfortunately it was us. But, in the long run, that could have been the best thing that ever happened to us. We needed at least another year out of the top league.

“At the time you can't say that, but I think looking back people will see that in the long run it was the best thing. This year hopefully we can get it right. We've had a good start and hopefully we can get the job done. Promotion and first place is the aim."

Having lived through the nightmare, Law now wants to achieve the dream in Light Blue as Rangers set their sights on a Premiership return.

He has frustrated the fans with inconsistent performances in recent years, but has the ability to be a key part of the Warburton blueprint.

Now in the final year of his contract, the 27-year-old is determined to prove his worth and keep his place at Ibrox.

"Perhaps last January was the closest [I came to leaving],” Law said. “But when the new manager came in I spoke to him straight away as all the lads did. He was extremely positive and told me what he wanted and I've just tried to do everything he has asked.

“Not just myself, but everyone is enjoying it just now. It's how it was supposed to be when I first signed for Rangers.

"Yes, absolutely I would like to extend it, but it is down to me to show the performances to show the manager that I deserve to be here because he has brought a few players in and there is competition for places.

“That's something we maybe haven't had in the past, and if you are not performing, you will lose your place. It's up to me and all the boys in the same position to prove you deserve a place.

“For the first time in a while it's very positive and everyone wants to be a part of that."

The win over St Mirren – earned thanks to a Lee Wallace double and late Dean Shiels effort – was the third in succession for Warburton’s new-look Light Blues.

Law has been at the heart of the action so far this term, the midfielder starting the cup wins over Hibernian and Peterhead prior to the Ladbrokes Championship curtain-raiser in front of a packed Ibrox.

And he hopes the Warburton way will bring out the best in him as he looks to continue to play his part in the Gers’ title bid.

Law said: "It has been difficult the past two years. It has been strange because in my two seasons here I have scored the most goals I've ever managed in my career – 25 over the two years and more in assists, but I haven't played as well as I did in my time at Motherwell.

“But, with our style of play, I am higher up the field and enjoying it. It's less touches, but more in the opposition third – that's the message the manager has sent me. I'll be looking to play well. It's been a good start for me and everyone."

Having collected their first three points of the campaign on home soil, attentions have now turned to a far different proposition and the trip to Alloa this weekend.

The plastic pitch and tight surroundings at the Indodrill Stadium are in stark contrast to Easter Road and Ibrox, where Rangers have played their competitive fixtures to date this term.

But Law is confident Warburton and his summer signings will be able to adapt and impress against the Wasps.

He said: "It will be a shock for a few of the new boys going there. But the message will be the same from the manager – we'll play the same way. Whether it will be as fluent, we won't know until after we start, but it's up to ourselves.

“The pitch doesn't bother me. Perhaps it bothers some of the older boys with their knees, but I don't actually mind it. In the winter it can be better to play on those pitches than on some pitches where there is no grass.

“Perhaps it can play on your mind, but that's football in general sometimes, it can be in your mindset. We will try and play the same way and entertain."