WINNING three games in succession for the first time in a year shouldn’t really be something for a club which was celebrating completing Nine-In-A-Row not so very long ago to get excited about.

It is indicative of just how far Rangers have fallen in recent years that this narrow triumph over Ross County at Ibrox yesterday was seen as something of a step in the right direction in what has proved another difficult season.

Yet, Graeme Murty, the caretaker manager whose shrewd tactical changes at half-time ensured his side came from behind to prevail, is hoping that better times lie ahead for the Glasgow club in the coming weeks after they finally claimed that elusive hat-trick of victories.

"Perhaps now, people will stop mentioning it,” said Murty after a win which saw them jump above Aberdeen once again and move into second spot in the Ladbrokes Premiership table on goal difference.

“It's three wins, nine points for the players and that puts them in a better state of mind. Psychologically, that's great for them. We have to make sure we recover and go and try and make it four wins.”

Having been rebuffed in their attempt to lure Derek McInnes from Aberdeen this week and lambasted for their classless response to that very public failure, not least by their own despairing supporters, it has been another bad week for Rangers off the field.

When County edged in front with the simplest of strikes in the 11th minute it looked as if it might end with disappointment on it. Jason Naismith whipped a cross into the Rangers box from wide on the right flank and Craig Curran stole in and headed beyond Wes Foderingham.

Murty removed the completely ineffectual Mexican midfielder Carlos Pena, whose days in Glasgow will be numbered if he continues to produce such dire showings, at half-time and brought on Alfredo Morelos in his place.

The Columbian’s scintillating early-season form – he scored eight goals in his first nine appearances after arriving in this country - has tapered off in recent weeks and he didn’t feature in either of the games against Aberdeen.

When he failed to connect with a floating Declan John cross, which hung invitingly in front of the County goal, eight minutes after coming on it looked as if his barren spell was set to continue.

The 21-year-old, though, drew his side level in the 59th minute. Davis Keillor-Dunn surrendered possession to Kenny Miller who fed Daniel Candeias in front of him. The winger picked out his team mate in the penalty box and the striker made no mistake.

Murty is optimistic Morelos will grow in confidence as a result and plunder more goals going forward. “It was fantastic for Alfredo,” he said. “He missed one just previous to his goal, but whatever you say about him, he keeps on getting into those areas consistently.

“It's up to us to be a bit better with our final pass and our final decision because we got into some really good situations later on and never executed them to the right degree. He's got a goal, hopefully he can now go on another run for us.”

County, unfortunate to lose 1-0 to Celtic at home a few weeks ago, acquitted themselves superbly and should have taken the lead once again after a fine attacking move in the 68th minute. Ryan Dow had Jamie Lindsay in a dangerous position in space outside of him, but chose to shoot himself and his weak effort was easily held by Foderingham.

Rangers snatched the winner with seven minutes remaining. Josh Windass got on the end of a Tavernier free-kick and forced a fine reaction save from Scott Fox. But Danny Wilson was perfectly placed to pounce on the rebound and nodded in from close range.

“It wasn't a performance that stirred the blood, or was at the level of the two previous performances, but the players found a way to win and I'm pleased for them,” said Murty. “We can play better, but credit to Ross County for the way they played and set up. They were good today, but we managed grind out a win.

“We altered the shape slightly at half-time. We had to change and go three up top. Alfredo comes on for Carlos because I didn't think we were applying enough pressure with the ball or without it. It was more about that than shouting and screaming or ranting and raving. They managed to turn it around.”

Owen Coyle, the Ross County manager, was proud of how his players performed, but was unhappy that they had not been awarded a penalty by match official Euan Henderson towards the end of proceedings.

“I’m always loathe to be critical of people but I felt there were a number of things that went against us today,” he said. “Late on at 2-1 we had a stonewall penalty. Big Andrew Davies was running in and Bruno Alves, not even looking at the ball, throws him to the ground. We never got it.

“But if we continue to play at that level, and brush up on those little things, then there are a lot of points and games for us to win. The boys are very hard-working and don’t like losing games. I can’t fault what they offered. We deserved more than we got from the game. For me that was very evident.”