THIS was the relative calm after the storm, the come down after the euphoria. Crucially for Rangers, it was a return to winning ways.

A rather low-key, mundane victory over Kilmarnock was a satisfactory way to end a week that has been anything other than quiet and straightforward at Ibrox.

The aftermath of an Old Firm encounter is always a fraught affair for those that find themselves on the wrong side of the result.

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When that outcome is a 5-0 defeat that hands Celtic the Premiership title, the fall-out is understandably more highly charged and significant.

At most clubs, the sacking of a manager, the resignations of two board directors or the appointment of a new boss would be the only headline-grabbing events of the week.

But Rangers crammed all three into the gap between the defeat to Brendan Rodgers’ side and the much-needed win at Ibrox on Saturday. On and off the field, it has been another rollercoaster ride for a support that are well used to strapping themselves in and adopting the brace position.

On Tuesday, Graeme Murty was relieved of his duties at first team level as control was handed over to Jimmy Nicholl and Jonatan Johansson for the final days of a turbulent campaign.

The following day, Paul Murray and Barry Scott stepped down from the Ibrox board as speculation over fresh investment came to the fore once again.

And on Friday Rangers brought their search for a boss to an end as Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard signed on the dotted line.

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A crowd of 7,000 turned out to welcome the 37-year-old to Glasgow and his arrival has captured the imagination of the fans.

Yet it was back to business on Saturday. Gerrard was not at Ibrox to watch the Killie clash, while there were few mentions of the deal that has made news around the world.

There was no fanfare for Gerrard. His name wasn’t mentioned until half-time as former Light Blues defender Marvin Andrews took the microphone on the touchline, while an announcement at the end of the game urging supporters to renew season tickets name-dropped the man that has been on everyone’s lips this week.

And it was only after David Bates had headed home the winner with just minutes remaining that Gerrard’s name was sung by supporters.

The next time they gather in those stands, there will be a far different feeling around the stadium, however.

Ibrox has been anything but home sweet home for Rangers this term but the win on their final outing of the campaign could prove to be one of their most important.

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Kilmarnock had already taken four points from their two previous trips to Govan but they were left empty handed here as Rangers closed the gap to Aberdeen and extended the one to Hibernian.

No matter what unfolds in the dugout or the boardroom, it is what happens on the park that always remains the priority for the Light Blue legions.

There was plenty for the Ibrox crowd to talk about during a largely unremarkable 90 minutes but only one moment for them to cheer.

Chances had been in short supply as the profligacy that was so prominent during Murty’s reign remained while Nicholl watched on from the touchline.

Rangers had plenty of the ball and worked it into some promising positions but moves broke down too easily in the final third as the wrong passes were picked or runs made, while crosses from the flanks were cleared by a resolute defensive line before they could be converted beyond keeper Jamie MacDonald.

When the goal did arrive, it came from the unlikeliest source. On his final Ibrox appearance, Bates netted for the first time for his boyhood heroes.

The cross from Sean Goss was teasing and perfectly placed and Bates timed his movement and jump to allow him to nod home at the back post before he turned and sprinted towards the technical area to celebrate.

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It was somewhat ironic that the man with nothing to prove to Gerrard was the one that stood up to be counted and ensured that Rangers didn’t suffer another blow in their bid to finish second in the Premiership.

The matches with Aberdeen and Hibernian in the coming days will determine their European fate but Bates already has continental action in his sights after agreeing a Bosman move to Hamburg ahead of the new campaign.

While his future is clear, the same cannot be said for those that he will bid farewell to in the coming days and many will also be in the closing stages of their Gers careers.

Gerrard won’t base his decisions over who goes and who stays around what happens at Pittodrie and Easter Road but a couple of inspired performances wouldn’t go amiss for those that are on the Light Blues’ cut line at present.

Having let Murty down with two abject displays against Celtic, the players that he left behind this week had to prove a point and earn three against Steve Clarke’s side.

The victory may not have been convincing, and the visitors didn’t even think it was merited, but it was certainly crucial for Rangers as their two nearest rivals in the standings battled out a goalless draw in the North East.

That is now where Nicholl and his side will head tomorrow night before they round off the season in Leith. A helicopter won’t be required for this final day showdown, though.

A hectic and frenetic week came to a satisfactory conclusion. No matter what the next seven days bring, Rangers need a similar outcome at the end of it.