WALTER SMITH made it clear from the outset that his Rangers team were out to win back the championship this season after Celtic's dominance in the last three years.

Last time out, his target was to put in a serious title challenge and his players managed that, taking it right down to the wire. Now though, he wants to go one better and deliver the league title back to Govan.

Allan's antics undoing great work of last year DISAPPOINTMENTS KEEPER Allan McGregor started the season with an £8million price tag on his head and was tipped to win a move to the Premiership. Spurs were thought to be keen on landing the 26-year-old shot-stopper following his heroics the previous season. Until an ankle injury ruled him out for the final few months of the campaign, McGregor was outstanding for the Light Blues. However, he has failed to reach those standards this season. After gifting Kilmarnock a goal earlier in the season, Walter Smith axed him from the starting line-up for three games as Neil Alexander took over. He was, however, handed a reprieve by his manager but just the other night he made a massive blunder to hand Dundee United a goal at Ibrox as the teams drew 3-3. As someone who has found himself on more front pages of newspapers than the sports pages - some his own doing and some of it not - many have questioned his focus as he struggles to recapture the form that drew comparisons with Andy Goram. So you'd have to say McGregor has probably been Rangers' biggest disappointment so far this season. On an overall playing side, domestically, the biggest disappointment in the first round of games will be that they landed a superb 4-2 Old Firm win... but still trail Celtic. Rangers have to avoid too many slip-ups, given their great rivals' consistency.

Having now played every side this season, the Ibrox club find themselves a couple of points off the pace as they trail defending champions Celtic.

But can they manage to edge it this term in what is shaping up as another pulsating SPL contest? Here is an analysis of Rangers work so far...

EFFECTIVENESS
RANGERS have won eight out of their opening 11 matches, with two draws and one defeat. And the signs suggest they are ready to push Celtic all the way this season.

In attack, Kris Boyd is scoring goals for fun again and Kenny Miller's displays have won over the supporters. In midfield, Pedro Mendes is excelling and Steven Davis and Kevin Thomson have been performing well.

And although the defence could improve, in most of the matches they have been solid enough to ensure victories. So overall, the team is working effectively enough.

But whether or not they can keep it up for an entire season remains to be seen.

ENTERTAINMENT
WALTER SMITH was desperate to change the style of his side's play this season and he has certainly managed that with some impressive signings.

Despite reaching the Uefa Cup Final last season and just missing out on the title on the final day of the season, the Ibrox legions weren't exactly on the edge of their seats at their team turning on the style.

It was more about being effective than exciting. Rangers went with one up front in many matches with five across the midfield, but with Pedro Mendes and Steven Davis arriving, it has added a new dimension to their play.

More often than not Smith will go with two in attack, supported by midfielders that are all comfortable on the ball and more than capable of scoring themselves. The style of play is pleasing on the eye and on most occasions, worth the admission money.

Rangers have hit 11 goals in their last three SPL matches and also made a hatful of chances. They are certainly a lot more pleasing on the eye.

X-FACTOR
PEDRO MENDES is the man who supplies the star quality at Rangers. Now the biggest fear for Ibrox supporters is can their club fend off potential Premiership interest in him during the January transfer window?

The Ibrox club managed to land him from Portsmouth in a £3m deal after Harry Redknapp was forced to sell him due to financial necessity. However, he's now at Spurs with money to burn, so there's every chance Redknapp could come back in for the Portuguese playmaker.

Mendes is without doubt the signing of the season in Scotland. He has transformed the way Rangers play, has a wonderful range of passing, the ability to score spectacular goals and has even shown he isn't afraid to get his hands dirty and put in hard graft when it's required.

LEADERSHIP
BARRY FERGUSON'S injury a few days into pre-season training left Walter Smith searching for a new on-field leader for the beginning of the season.

With the Scotland skipper ruled out of action for the first four months following ankle surgery, the Ibrox boss was forced to assess the most suitable candidates to take over the armband for the opening months of the new season.

Several players were tipped for the honour, such as keeper Allan McGregor, the experienced Davie Weir and Kevin Thomson, who had previously skippered Hibs. However, Smith seemed to get it spot on with Weir.

He isn't the sort of captain who shouts and snarls at team-mates, or inspires by making crunching tackles or scoring special goals. More than anything, Weir has been a calming influence on the team since the start of the season.

With Ferguson returning to full fitness, he will resume the role of captain. But leadership hasn't been a problem for Rangers as they have several on-field leaders willing to take responsibility.