THE points were the perfect present for Mark Warburton. Another three are now in Rangers’ sights.

Four games have yielded as many wins as Premiership tests have been passed with varying levels of ease. One more must be overcome before the sternest examination of the progress that Rangers are making.

Having dispatched of Inverness at Ibrox, Rangers will head to McDiarmid Park on Wednesday night to face St Johnstone for what is their final warm-up for the Hogmanay showdown with Celtic.

It is on the road where Warburton’s side have turned in their most lacklustre showings this term and having spent recent weeks repairing some of the damage to their campaign they can ill-afford a slip-up against the Saints.

Confidence levels have risen as points have been added to their tally but further improvement is still required from Warburton’s side as they look to extend their advantage in the race to finish best of the rest in the top flight.

Victory here was another important step in that regard after Aberdeen beat Motherwell on Friday evening and Hearts stumbled once again under Ian Cathro as they were defeated by Dundee.

This was far from Rangers’ most impressive showing of the campaign but Warburton’s side sent Ibrox home happy once again. It was tense at the end, however, the emotions come full-time a mixture of relief and celebration.

Supporters spent the week leading up to Christmas serenading striker Joe Garner as sixties hit ‘Glad All Over’ went viral. It was fellow forward Martyn Waghorn that gave them something to sing about at Ibrox, though.

The victories over Aberdeen, Hearts and Hamilton were accompanied by impressive performances but Rangers were far from their best here. They were good enough, but only just.

Warburton stated during the build-up that Inverness were in a false position in the Premiership as they geared up for the long trip to Ibrox.

The opening months of the campaign have proven to be a tough awakening to life in the dugout for Richie Foran but the Caley boss had plenty to be pleased about here.

Rangers were deserved winners but it was far from comfortable for Warburton’s side as they beat Caley by a single goal for the second time this term.

Frustrations grew throughout the afternoon as Rangers failed to build on their lead and it was the visitors who looked the most threatening after Waghorn had opened the scoring.

There was a touch of good fortune about it but that mattered little to the striker. After marking his return to the side with a brace against Hamilton, this was another step in the right direction for Waghorn.

The angle appeared against him as he drove towards the near post but he got a shot away and saw the ball end up in the back of the net via a deflection off Brad McKay.

It was all the Ibrox crowd had to cheer as Inverness equipped themselves well and Wes Foderingham was the busier keeper as he saved from Larnell Cole and Greg Tansey.

The fact that Rangers’ problems were self-inflicted was not a surprise and it was certainly a source of concern for Warburton and the Light Blue legions. After convincing home performances against Aberdeen and Hearts, this was the kind of sloppy showing that has been punished on so many occasions this term.

A mix-up between Hill and Foderingham gave Liam Polworth a chance to level the game just before the break but the midfielder couldn’t find the target from 20 yards. It was another let-off for Rangers.

A terrific drive from Andy Halliday that was tipped over by Owain Fon Williams was as close as the Gers had come to adding to their tally and it didn’t take long for the moans and groans to start emanating from the stands after the interval.

The arrivals of Kenny Miller and Josh Windass added some urgency to Rangers’ attacking play but it was Garner who should have made sure of the points.

Miller’s shot was deflected and looped up into the air. Garner got up well, but his header was just wide of target.

The second goal would have killed the game and eased the nerves around Ibrox but it never came for Rangers. Chances were few and far between and it gave Inverness hope as they pushed for a late leveller.

The announcement of Clint Hill as man of the match was greeted with a round of applause from supporters but keeper Foderingham then proved why he would also have been in the running with a fine save from an Alex Fisher effort.

The Englishman has been one of the Gers’ most consistent performer this term and Warburton would have been grateful for his efforts once again here.

Within minutes, the win had been secured and it was handshakes and pats on the back all round.

It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective enough. It was also critical for Rangers. Now, they must do it all over again.