PEDRO CAIXINHA has started with a bang. Charlie Miller fears he won’t be able to finish with a flourish this season.

The Portuguese coach has made an immediate impact at Ibrox since he was confirmed as Mark Warburton’s successor.

He has impressed supporters with his messages and started to win over his squad with his methods. He also has a debut win on the board.

Making a positive first impression was always going to be the easy bit for Caixinha, though. Sooner rather than later, the tasks will get more difficult to overcome.

Read more: Pedro Caixinha targets further improvement from Rangers ahead of Ibrox return

He will be confident that his side can follow up the victory over Hamilton with another against Motherwell this weekend before he faces his first Premiership away day with a trip to Kilmarnock next midweek.

The visit of Partick Thistle later this month is a test that Rangers should pass. The clashes with Aberdeen and Celtic either side of the derby meeting are far more difficult to predict.

Caixinha has set his sights on second spot and Scottish Cup glory this term as he attempts to lay the foundations for his first full campaign in charge.

But nine-in-a-row hero Miller knows those ambitions are easier said than done as the 46-year-old gears up for a crucial run of fixtures in the coming weeks.

He said: “No disrespect to him, but I hadn’t heard of him. He started well and he has spoken well.

“It was a good result against Hamilton. Good luck to him and hopefully he can get the team back to where we belong.

“Financially Celtic are obviously miles ahead and I think there is still a bit of a gap. But hopefully Pedro can come in and close it. We have got the semi-final that we obviously want to win.

“Possibly [Rangers are better than they have shown], yeah. They were better last year but we were down a league.

“They are not all bad players, definitely not. They can play, some of them, and it is just a shame how the season has went for some of the boys. There have been some poor signings as well.

“I don’t think they will get second now. Aberdeen have gone eleven games unbeaten [at home] and they don’t look like they will drop many points.”

Read more: Pedro Caixinha targets further improvement from Rangers ahead of Ibrox return

If Caixinha can achieve both of his goals and lead Rangers to second place in the Premiership before lifting the silverware at Hampden, he will go some way to silencing his Ibrox critics.

The decision to turn to the former Al-Gharafa coach was a surprise to many but he has been trusted with picking up the pieces after Warburton’s reign came to a controversial end.

And Miller hopes the gamble will pay off for the Gers board as Caixinha attempts to prove his worth to the Light Blue legions.

He said: “It was a surprise appointment for everybody. Is it the right one? We will have to wait and see.

“I hope he is the right one and does well. He has got a transfer window to get some players in so let’s see who he lets go and who he brings in. Hopefully we can build for next season.

“They have went left field, definitely. But I hope that he does really well and can get Rangers back where they belong and that is up at the top of the table and winning leagues and cups.

“Let’s hope that can happen. We have got a big semi-final to come and that will take care of itself. Hopefully Pedro can get us a result.

“He seemed to make an impact in the Hamilton game and hopefully that continues.

“Sometimes when a new manager comes in the players get a lift. It is a fresh start so hopefully he can get the best out of everyone.”

Having got off to a winning start with a comfortable 4-0 triumph over Accies, Caixinha will now look to make it two from two against the Steelmen this weekend.

The meeting with Aberdeen a week on Sunday will be the first real test of the Portuguese’s credentials but Miller won’t read too much into the Dons clash or Old Firm showdown a fortnight later.

He said: “Aberdeen are doing well and they will be hard to beat but Rangers can win it.

“I thought when they went there earlier in the season that Rangers were probably the better team but the boy hit a wonder strike and Aberdeen got the win.

Read more: Pedro Caixinha targets further improvement from Rangers ahead of Ibrox return

“You can’t say that [the games against Aberdeen and Celtic] will make him but they are two tests, of course.

“Every game this season for Rangers has been a test. They are two difficult games and we will see how they get on.”

The trip to Pittodrie will be a new experience for Caixinha but it will pit Rangers against a familiar face and an old foe.

Dons boss Derek McInnes was touted in some quarters for a return to Ibrox but it was Caixinha that always lead the race to become the Gers’ 16th manager.

Miller keeps a close eye on the fortunes of his friend in the North East and reckons the former Gers midfielder will continue to attract admiring glances from elsewhere.

He said: “He has done great. His budget is not as big as Rangers’ but he has a strong squad and he has done well with his budget. Obviously Celtic are miles ahead in the league but he has done a good job.

“Derek was never spoken to, was he? He won’t worry about that because he was never a choice by the look of things.

“It looks as if they had one or two candidates and they have got who they wanted.

“If he keeps on doing well then people will look at him. He can only take Aberdeen so far financially but he has done a great job. I only watch out for Aberdeen because of Derek.

“I can’t say yes or no (if Rangers will regret it). I just wish Pedro all the best.

“He is the new Rangers manager and we all want the best for the club. He is the man that has got the job so good luck to him.”