IT has been a season of missed chances for Rangers, a tale of ifs, buts and maybes as opportunities have come and gone on a regular basis.

On Saturday, they made the most of one, though. This was a case of job done, and well done at that.

Such has been the Gers’ form on home soil this term, the Light Blue legions would have arrived at Ibrox for the meeting with Hearts with a nagging doubt in the back of their mind.

But this is a team that are looking more cohesive and more confident with every outing. As they grow more familiar with each other, the supporters have more belief in them.

Having seen Hibernian drop two points at Kilmarnock and knowing that something had to give between Aberdeen and Celtic on Sunday, this was an open goal that Rangers couldn’t afford to miss.

Their trials and tribulations on home soil are well versed this season but Hearts never looked like adding their name to that list for a second time as Graeme Murty’s side produced an accomplished performance to keep their Premiership tally ticking over.

There were times when the Ibrox crowd got nervous, when the grumbles started to become that little bit louder. The roars that greeted both goals told their own story, though.

It may have taken until four minutes from the end of the first half and two minutes from the end of the second for Rangers to find the net, but there was no doubt that they deserved all three points.

It was Jamie Murphy that got the vote from the sponsors and collected the Man of the Match champagne but Greg Docherty and Daniel Candeias earned a glass as well as Murty’s side toasted a crucial Premiership win.

If there were any extra bottles kicking about, Jon McLaughlin should have got one too. He wasn’t just Hearts’ top performer, he was arguably the best man on the park.

When that is said about the opposition keeper, you know how the game has gone and who deserved to come away with the points.

A Hearts side that have built a reputation for being hard to break down were sliced open on several occasions and it was only the form of McLaughlin that ensured Craig Levein’s side headed back along the M8 having conceded just twice.

He could do nothing to prevent Murphy or Russell Martin scoring, though, as Rangers got the rewards their play merited.

The goals were the first that both scorers had netted at Ibrox but they each owed some gratitude to Docherty and Candeias for their part in the moves.

It was the former Hamilton midfielder that split the Hearts defence with a neat through ball from the edge of the area to set Murphy free.

As Ibrox, and Murty, implored him to shoot, the winger kept his composure, beat his man, then another and kept the ball away from McLaughlin. Finally, he picked his spot, the net bulged and the home crowd celebrated.

For Murphy, it was a moment he had dreamed of for some time. After scoring his first goal for his boyhood heroes against Ayr, he opened his league account in the win over Accies last weekend.

Now he had a strike at Ibrox. It was the highlight of a terrific performance as he continues to impress and improve following his switch from Brighton last month.

The 28-year-old has all the attributes to be a key player for Rangers for some time and the same can be said about Docherty. On his first Ibrox start, he produced his finest showing in blue to date.

He had been accused of trying too hard to impress by Murty following the win at Hamilton. On this occasion, he caught the eye with seemingly relative ease.

The pass that set Murphy clear was his most important of the game but he used the ball well throughout and gave Rangers a verve from box to box. The ovation he received when he was replaced by Jason Holt said it all about what the Gers support thought of his efforts.

There was no individual show of appreciation for Candeias when he made his way off at full-time but that was perhaps fitting after another selfless display from the Portuguese.

The winger added another assist to his record with a cross from the right that evaded everyone in the area before Martin converted at the back post to secure the points and spark scenes of celebration on and off the park.

But Candeias’ importance to Rangers is not measured just by numbers. His partnership with James Tavernier continues to improve, while his work ethic up and down the flank has endeared him to supporters.

Many fans would have been sceptical of the 30-year-old in the summer but he has grown on them week by week.

The same can be said for the team that Murty has put together. Whether Rangers lift any silverware or not this season, there is a foundation being laid and a blueprint for whoever the manager is next term to work from.

There is, of course, plenty of football still to be played in the coming weeks and the form that has seen Rangers win seven of their last eight games must be continued if their Premiership aims and Scottish Cup ambitions are to be achieved.

Every outcome at Pittodrie had some positive for Rangers. They may not have ended up any closer to Celtic, but Murty’s side are now three clear of Aberdeen.

They have a chance to close one gap and extend another in the coming weeks. Once again, Rangers must make the most of their opportunities.