THE end is in sight. Rangers have never been in the race but they are now approaching the finishing line. Soon, the starting gun will fire once again.

The Light Blues have just two games left to negotiate before a season that started with hope but will culminate in disappointment can be consigned to the history books.

There are few silver linings in the clouds that still linger over Ibrox but the final week of the campaign offers Pedro Caixinha a chance to end months of a negativity on a positive footing.

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The response to back-to-back Old Firm embarrassments was a spirited display at Firhill as Partick Thistle were beaten last weekend. On Saturday, another win was earned and deserved.

It Hearts that were left empty handed on this occasion as Rangers started brightly, faded but emerged victorious as a nervous tension rose around Ibrox.

The points were the main positive for Caixinha to take and he will now target six more in the matches with Aberdeen and St Johnstone in the coming days as the Gers round off the season.

The Portuguese was pleased with a quick start from his side as Rangers got on the front foot from the off and took the lead after just seven minutes. It should have been the foundation upon which a comfortable win was secured.

It was Joe Garner that finished off a fine, flowing move. Josh Windass started it with a lovely diagonal pass and when the ball found Kenny Miller on the right flank, he picked out Garner with a curling cross at the back post.

The striker did the crucial bit as he threw himself at the ball and directed it into the far corner of Viktor Noring’s net. As Ibrox celebrated, Garner lay on the pitch.

He would receive treatment on his shoulder before re-entering the action, and while his endeavours weren’t rewarded with another goal they were important for Rangers as he hustled and bustled a shaky Hearts defence.

When Prince Buaben was sent off for bringing down Windass as he burst through on goal, it looked like there would only be one winner at Ibrox.

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But the positive vibes soon started to dissipate as Hearts grew into the encounter and the Light Blue legions were stunned when Esmael Goncalves pulled Ian Cathro’s side level.

The break was incisive from the Jambos but Caixinha will be frustrated with the way the goal was lost as Windass tried a dummy on the edge of the Hearts area before Jason Holt failed to stop Bjorn Johnsen as he burst forward and picked out his unmarked strike partner in the area.

Too often this term, Rangers haven’t reacted in the right manner when they have conceded as heads have dropped, concentration has been lost and ultimately points have been squandered.

That wasn’t the case on Saturday, though. Within two minutes of Goncalves finding the net, Barrie McKay hit the target.

Garner had a part to play as he challenged keeper Viktor Noring in the air and when the Swedish shot-stopper spilled the ball, McKay was on hand to score his second goal in a week.

In the end, that would prove enough for Rangers. It was another job done, just.

The satisfaction of victory was tinged with frustration for Caixinha, though. He lamented the decision making of his side, while the statistic about his players losing 70 per cent of second balls since his arrival was startling.

If the same mistakes are made on Wednesday night, Aberdeen’s long wait for a victory at Ibrox could come to an end. For a squad that has underperformed and underachieved this term, losing that record would be the final failure on their CVs.

Having started out this season with the aim of sending the fans home happy, Rangers now have one final 90 minutes on home soil to give the Light Blue legions something to cheer.

Read more: Rangers kid Jamie Barjonas thankful for Kenny Miller's words of wisdom after making his Ibrox bow

The performance will have to be more accomplished and complete than it was against Hearts but the outcome is all that matters for Caixinha as he looks to build some momentum going into the summer break.

For many members of his squad, the Dons clash will be their final outing at Ibrox as Caixinha prepares to overhaul his ranks in the coming weeks. It would be no surprise if the majority of the side that lined up on Saturday and will stride out on Wednesday are nowhere to be seen when the fans take their seats next term.

That will certainly be the case for Clint Hill. After 32 appearances and six goals for the Gers, he now has just a few days and potentially 180 minutes remaining at the club.

The 38-year-old has spoken of his disappointment at not being offered a new deal by Caixinha but his pride at being able to pull on the famous blue jersey this term.

His efforts on Saturday were rewarded with the Man of the Match champagne and a deserved applause from the Ibrox crowd. Many will be sad to see the Englishman go.

As supporters have regularly questioned the mentality of the Gers squad this term, Hill has shown that he ‘gets it’ at Rangers. He isn’t a long-term option for Caixinha, but fans have appreciated his professionalism and attitude.

They are qualities that Caixinha will look for in his summer recruits and the start of a new campaign will give another batch of arrivals a chance to endear themselves to the Ibrox crowd.

Before that, though, the current crop have one final chance to impress them as Rangers enter the final stretch of their first season back in the Premiership.