WES FODERINGHAM reckons Rangers showed their Championship title mettle as they moved eight points clear at the top of the table on Saturday.

Mark Warburton’s side extended their advantage over Hibernian with a 1-0 win against third-placed Falkirk thanks to Billy King’s dramatic Ibrox winner.

Rangers have now won their last six games as they have put a poor run of results and performances behind them and keeper Foderingham was delighted with a hard-fought success against the Bairns.

He said: “The sign of a good team is to win when you are not playing well.

“We know we were below-par but that will be real kick in the teeth for Falkirk – and for Hibs as well. I’m sure Falkirk thought they would get a draw so late on in the game.

“It was fantastic for Billy to come on and score on his debut. So we’ll take the three points.

“Recently, the performances have been good overall and the results have been excellent.

“We will try and continue that into the coming games and try and see if we can stay unbeaten for the rest of the season.”

Rangers have turned in a series of improved showings in recent weeks as they have regained their momentum in the second tier title race but it took a late intervention from King to keep the run going on Saturday.

The winger stepped off the bench to head home a James Tavernier cross in the closing seconds and Foderingham is confident the Hearts star can play a key role in Rangers’ Championship challenge.

He said: “It’s obviously difficult because you might not know all the boys when you come in. Then all of a sudden you are out on the pitch.

“But he came on and made a massive contribution. He had a few good touches and scored a great goal as well. That will give him a massive lift. He was brilliant when he came on.

“Billy has played a lot of games for Hearts this season and last season. With them winning this league last year, I am sure he knows what it takes.

‘He has come here and looked very lively in training. And he certainly didn’t do himself any harm with that fantastic goal. That can only help.

“I think Billy has mentioned before that he can play in a more central role, he is not just a winger.

“You can see that he has a knack for scoring goals and has a fantastic strike on him. We didn’t know much about his heading ability but that was a great finish.”

Rangers may not have been at their best against the Bairns but their efforts were still rewarded as they moved ten points clear of Peter Houston’s side in the standings.

It now appears to be a two horse race for the title this term and Foderingham knows the importance of the Gers’ Ibrox triumph.

He said: “We have played Falkirk three times now and they have given us a difficult game on each occasion. I was called upon to make a couple of saves, which I am grateful I could do. But the whole defence played its part.

“Shots were coming through legs and the defence were there to pick up the second balls. They deserve credit as well. It was a brilliant performance all round.

“I wouldn’t say we got away with one. We were a bit below par and we know that.

“I think we lacked a little bit of quality in the final third, but defensively we were fantastic. You can’t take away from that.

“The forward players are not going to score four or five every week, so the defenders need to be there when called upon.

“We were able to do that [on Saturday]. The main thing was the result and getting the three points. And we managed to do that.”