THE next one is the big one. Rangers had another stop-off on the road to Hampden in Paisley and left with some answers and some questions.

With less than three weeks to go until the Scottish Cup final, this was a small step in the right direction for Mark Warburton’s side. The Gers took to the field against St Mirren in search of a performance and three points but left it only half satisfied.

Since turning in their finest showing of the campaign at the National Stadium as they saw off Celtic in style, Warburton’s side have faltered on Championship duty. One below par showing was understandable, but a four-game winless run is unacceptable.

Two points from 12 is not the kind of form Rangers should have been heading into the Scottish Cup final in but the Ibrox boss wasn’t too disheartened despite his side once again faltering.

It has been a campaign of many highs and few lows for Warburton. He now faces a different challenge ahead of the meeting with Hibernian on May 21.

If a good season is to become a great one for Rangers, they will have to be far better at Hampden than they have been since their last outing on the hallowed turf.

With Dominic Ball suspended and Michael O’Halloran and Billy King cup-tied for the final, Warburton’s options are fairly limited as he ponders over the next couple of weeks who to trust with a blue jersey as the Gers bid for a third medal this term.

There is every chance that the side that started in Paisley will be the one that strides out at Hampden, although Dean Shiels may come into the midfield three alongside Andy Halliday and Jason Holt at the expense of Gedion Zelalem.

There will almost certainly be a spot in the side for Martyn Waghorn and the striker took a step towards a final jersey with his first outing since February. His return was much-needed, his performance in the hour he was on the field encouraging for Rangers as they welcomed back their 28-goal forward.

It has been a frustrating spell for Waghorn as he has had to watch on from the stands while Warburton’s side clinched the Championship title, won the Petrofac Training Cup and then booked their place against Hibs with Old Firm triumph.

He will be given another run-out when the Gers face Tottenham Hotspur in a behind-closed-doors friendly as part of their preparations for the final and the challenge now for Warburton is to ensure that all of his squad are in the right shape mentally and physically for their biggest match of the campaign.

It is one they will head into with plenty to consider. A 90 minute blip at Easter Road became a worrying slip for Warburton’s side but there were at least reasons to be optimistic after their final league fixture of the campaign.

Their performances got steadily worse against Hibernian, Alloa and Livingston but they did improve in Paisley. This was certainly better, but it wasn’t enough to earn a victory.

This was hardly a thrilling way to bring down the Championship curtain but it was a decent enough encounter. There was still an end of season feel about proceedings, though, Saints fans saying fond farewells to Jim Goodwin and Steven Thompson with rounds of applause on the 6th and 9th minutes and once again when they took to the field later in the game.

There wasn’t much for the Light Blue legions to cheer in the opening stages but Warburton’s side did create a couple of chances, Wallace forcing a save from Jamie Langfield before Waghorn hit the woodwork with a low strike and curled another just wide of the far post from a similar position.

It was more promising stuff from Rangers, but still not at the level they have been so often this season, and they would end the first half staring at dropped points once again.

Stephen Mallan tested Wes Foderingham with a free-kick before the keeper almost cost his side dear as he failed to deal with a poor pass from Rob Kiernan. He was lucky that the ball went wide of his post after it rebounded off Lawrence Shankland but Foderingham surely had to hold his hands up just minutes later.

Saints worked the ball right to Callum Gallagher and, while the former Ibrox forward hit a well struck shot, the Gers keeper shouldn’t have been beaten inside his near post.

It was another setback for Rangers but it didn’t take them long to recover, Kenny Miller heading home a James Tavernier cross just nine minutes into the second half as Warburton’s side got themselves back into the game.

The Gers were well in control but couldn’t get a second goal as Zelalem tried his luck from distance, McKay was denied after a jinking run into the area and Miller saw Langfield pull off a terrific stop to deny him his brace.

With two minutes left, Rangers got the goal they had spent most of the second half searching for as their pressure finally paid off, Holt finishing well after a neat move with Nicky Clark.

It still wasn’t enough for Warburton’s side, though, Lewis Morgan finding the net from the edge of the area to bring the Buddies level with just seconds to spare.

It wasn’t the end to their time in the lower leagues that Rangers wanted, or needed given the events of recent weeks and what lies ahead in the coming days.

They have been more than good enough to win the Championship, now Warburton’s side must prove they have what it takes to lift the Scottish Cup as well.