PEDRO CAIXINHA reckons what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. He can’t afford to take too many more blows, though.

The Portuguese will always come out fighting. When he is on the ropes, he will suffer some punishment but look to land a few punches of his own.

Every dropped point, every poor performance, takes him closer to the ten count. That is still some way away, but real damage has already been done this season.

Read more: Lee Wallace: Rangers won't panic in the Premiership despite poor top flight start

On Saturday, Hearts barely landed a shot on Rangers but it was another afternoon where Caixinha’s side had to take the criticism on the chin.

The opening half a dozen Premiership games were always going to be hugely significant for the 46-year-old. Three have now been played but only four points have been collected.

The dream scenario was six wins before the first Old Firm fixture of the campaign next month. The reality is somewhat different and more difficult, however.

The fall-out from the defeat to Hibs may have been dominated by the ineptitude of John Beaton, the sending off of Ryan Jack and Neil Lennon’s celebrations, but there were far more important things for Rangers to worry about as attentions turned to Hearts.

Caixinha needed a performance and Rangers needed three points. Neither were delivered.

The Ibrox crowd had started heading for the exits long before full-time and those that stayed behind made their feelings known as a chorus of boos rung around the ground while the Gers trudged from the field.

Read more: Lee Wallace confident Rangers will find their feet in the final third after Hearts stalemate

The final blow of Willie Collum’s whistle ended Rangers’ hopes of a late winner but it was no surprise that it never arrived. There were chances and periods of pressure, but Caixinha’s side lacked guile in the final third and there was no real spark to their play.

Hibernian had taken the game to Rangers seven days previously and were rewarded with a win but Hearts adopted a different approach as they made the trip from Edinburgh. The result was more Capital punishment, though.

Under the guidance of former Light Blues striker Jon Daly, the visitors were resolute throughout. It wasn’t an eye-catching performance from the Jambos, but there was still much to admire in the way they went about their business.

If Rangers had converted their possession into a goal and three points, they would have felt it was a just reward for their efforts and a reflection of the flow of the game. Yet Hearts got what they came for as they took another small step on the road to recovery following Ian Cathro’s.

The backs-to-the-wall approach that Daly utilised may not make for an entertaining spectacle but it proved effective as Rangers pressed and probed but never broke the deadlock.

Read more: Rangers ratings: How Pedro Caixinha's side fared against Hearts

When they did get a sight of goal, they couldn’t make the most of it as Kenny Miller fired straight at Jack Hamilton before Bruno Alves’ header was cleared off the line.

As the clock ticked over, the scoreboard never looked like being threatened. A deflected strike from substitute Ryan Hardie was as close as Rangers would come to snatching all three points.

Caixinha reckoned that Hearts’ defensive set-up was a sign that opposition teams will respect Rangers at Ibrox this season. Like wins, that has to be earned.

There was no lack of effort from his side but the quality just wasn’t there. Rangers could, and should, have done better.

This team remains very much a work in progress but time is always in short supply at Ibrox and wins need to be gathered while improvements are made.

Caixinha will be given funds to further strengthen his squad in the final days of the transfer window. Despite radical surgery this summer, Rangers are still short in certain areas.

Read more: Ryan Hardie: Rangers need to get up and running

Jamie Walker may have failed to impress on Saturday but the winger would be a useful addition at Ibrox and give Caixinha a much-needed option on the flanks. Up front, another striker would be equally as welcomed by supporters concerned about where the goals are going to come from this term.

If there is still money left in the kitty after that, then cover at full-back would be the best way to spend it. Lee Wallace and James Tavernier look settled in their starting spots, but extra competition for their places would be no bad thing.

This is now very much Caixinha’s squad. It is up to him to get the best out of it and that needs to happen sooner rather than later.

The five point gap to Celtic is one that can overhauled but there is nothing to suggest that Rangers can achieve that aim. They may turn out to be better than last term – it would be some achievement to be worse – but the early signs are that they won’t be good enough to mount any kind of challenge to their Old Firm rivals.

Second place this season is non-negotiable, however, and Rangers already find themselves chasing Aberdeen after they made it three from three with victory over Dundee.

Caixinha had doubters to win over and critics to silence before Rangers had got off and running in the Premiership this term and the opening weeks have done little to ease the pressure on his shoulders.

Wins will not only aid Rangers’ cause in the top flight, but they will buy him some breathing space. His Ibrox dream hasn’t been killed, but Caixinha needs a strong response.