THE celebration said it all. The 49 goals Rangers had scored this season until late on Saturday afternoon had carried varying degrees of significance and been greeted in a manner of ways.
The 50th – a glancing, well placed header from Martyn Waghorn as he met a Nathan Oduwa cross - brought relief and joy as Ibrox erupted. It was the goal that clinched victory over Queen of the South, capped a fine fightback and continued an unbeaten run.
It will not go down as the most significant goal Rangers will score this season but it was an important one nonetheless as Warburton’s side made it ten wins from ten games in the Championship and maintained their eleven point advantage over Hibernian.
Like in their previous outing against Falkirk, Rangers had to survive a scare – Derek Lyle opening the scoring from a Queens corner ten minutes before the break - and left it late, but the outcome was familiar as they emerged victorious once again.
Rangers’ patience paid off as their efforts were rewarded, the points ultimately more important than the performance come the final reckoning as a win that appeared to be slipping from their grasps – especially after Waghorn missed from the spot for the first time this term - was clutched in dramatic fashion with just seconds to go.
Their passing has been sharper, their attacking play more clinical than it was on Saturday, but this was a win of a different kind. It was one they had to grind out, another they deserved.
There are aspects of their showing that will need to be improved upon when Livingston visit Ibrox in the Petrofac Training Cup tomorrow evening and Warburton will hope his side don’t need a last gasp winner to book their place in the semi-finals.
“It’s too early to say that was the mark of champions, that would be premature but I think it shows that there is a good character, resilience and commitment – all the right adjectives!” Warburton said.
“If you remember there were a few balls flying across the box that weren’t quite of the right quality but then Nathan put a great ball in.
“It was a superb ball in and then Waggy gets the header and we get the result.
“You saw the reaction of the players and it showed that they are in it together and the targets are really clear and as long as we’re united behind that one goal then we will be ok.”
The international break not only allowed Warburton the opportunity to give his players some time off, but a chance to reflect on what has been an overall encouraging start to the campaign.
The League Cup loss to St Johnstone remains the only blot on Rangers’ report card so far this season and they will return to knock-out action tomorrow eager to avoid another slip-up and another early elimination.
The Lions equipped themselves well in Glasgow last month as they went down 3-0 and have since seen two of their Championship counterparts prove that Rangers can be frustrated and stifled for spells on home soil.
In previous years, frustration and disappointment would have come from the stands if a Gers side had found themselves in a situation like the one they encountered for long spells on Saturday.
Yet there was encouragement, and ultimately jubilation, as Warburton’s side stuck to their task after Jason Holt had pulled them level with a neat finish from a tight angle early in the second half.
There is a belief in the manager and his players, and a change in attitude from supporters that is paying dividends for Rangers.
Once again, the fans were sent home happy, and Warburton’s side don’t have to wait long for another chance to repay the Ibrox crowd for their backing.
“We have Livingston next and every game we go into is important, there is no point in talking about a winning mentality and being best prepared and then not worry about losing a game,” he said.
“We want to win a game of football on Tuesday and we’re playing another strong team and we’ll hopefully get the right result.”
If Rangers can emerge victorious once again tomorrow night, it will take them one step closer to a piece of silverware that they covet and should have added to the Ibrox trophy room before now.
It is the main one in their sights – the Championship title – that remains the ultimate ambition this season, though.
While the next game is the most important one for Rangers, matches of some importance are on the horizon, with trips to St Mirren and Hibernian to follow over the next fortnight.
After making it a perfect ten in the Championship, the Light Blues will head to Paisley with their sights set on another three points and an eleventh league win.
The significance would be considerable, the celebration and satisfaction merited if they could edge ever nearer to the finishing line.
Whether the goals come early or late, it won’t matter to Warburton and his players.
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