MOMENTUM is hard to gain but is easily lost. Having taken a step in the right direction on the road to recovery, Rangers will have to wait two weeks for a chance to stride forward once again.

On Saturday, the Light Blues started what they hope will be another prolonged winning run, but there will be no quick fire back-to-back victories for Mark Warburton’s side.

Instead, they will count down the days until they are finally back on the park, the Championship clash away to Livingston a week on Saturday something to build towards but a target that is some way in the distance.

Warburton’s decision to postpone the league meeting with Dumbarton that was scheduled for this weekend was questioned by many.

It is a game that Rangers, even without the likes of Gedion Zelalem and Nathan Oduwa, who will represent the United States and England respectively at youth level in the coming days, should be capable of winning. They will not be at their strongest, though, and that is not a situation Warburton will accept.

Rather than go into the fixture not at their best, the Ibrox boss will make the most of an opportunity to give those that remain at Murray Park some time off before attentions are fully fixed on the Lions clash.

And striker Martyn Waghorn is confident the mid-season hiatus will stand Rangers in good stead for the remainder of the campaign as they set their sights on the Championship crown.

“There are two sides to it and you have to take both into consideration,” he said.

“It is a long season in a tough league and there will be times towards the end of the season where you might get a bit tired and fatigued.

“This break might not benefit us this week or next week or in the next few but near the end of the season when the games are relentless is could be crucial.

“It is important you rest up and get a break when you can. I understand the fans want the game, as do the boys to a certain extent.

“But the manager does what he thinks is best and we will use the break right then prepare for the next game.”

Rangers ensured they went into the latest domestic shutdown with a spring in their step on Saturday as Alloa were brushed aside at Ibrox and another three points were added to their Championship tally.

Once again, Waghorn played a key role in the triumph, his two goals either side of a James Tavernier free-kick clinching the points in the first half before Nicky Clark completed a 4-0 win in the closing seconds.

Just days after suffering their first league defeat of the campaign against Hibs, it was a timely return to winning ways and a more familiar performance from Rangers as they dominated against the side that are bottom of the table.

Warburton will give his squad a few days off later this week and it is a break Waghorn and his team-mates will make the most of after a demanding spell of action.

“It was important to get the win on Saturday and it is frustrating that we can’t go and look to get another on Saturday, but we are going into the break with a good win and a good performance under our belt,” the 17 goal striker said.

“We will rest up and get ready for the next game. It is a bit disappointing but it will be nice to get the break as well.

“To have a couple of days away from the training ground or the stadium is not a bad thing. It is a chance to switch off and focus on something different or spend some time with your family.

“You come back mentally refreshed and you are raring to go. It gives you that extra motivation to get ready for the next game a week on Saturday.”

After seeing their eleven game winning run come to an end at Easter Road, Rangers began what they hope will be another lengthy unbeaten spell in style on Saturday.

The Light Blues and Alan Stubbs’ side have proven their superiority over the rest of the second tier so far this season and both will be determined to drop as few points as possible before their next meeting at Ibrox on December 28.

It is a clash that could prove crucial, but there are a series of potential stumbling blocks along the road before then. It is a path Waghorn is eager to tread successfully, though.

“We are Rangers and we want to win every game we can,” he said.

“That is the mind-set of the boys and the only thing we are focusing on. We go out to win every game we can.

“When we next come up against Hibs, it is a long way away, but we will be ready.

“We have to put in the performances before that, though, and it would be nice to put another run together. Our focus is always the next game.”

While Rangers were enjoying a comfortable day at the office on Saturday, Hibernian also hit four goals as they came from behind to beat St Mirren in Paisley.

The Capital club have been on an impressive run in recent weeks and are confident they can gain further ground on Warburton’s side sooner rather than later.

Rangers will only look ahead, not over their shoulder, though.

Waghorn said: “We just focus on ourselves. If we keep winning then we will stay top of the league and keep the gap.

“If they slip up, which they might do with some tough games coming up, we will be there to extend the lead hopefully.

“It is important that we focus on our own job and not get caught up too much in what Hibs are doing or what other teams are doing. It is our league to go and win.”