ANDY HALLIDAY saw Rangers hit the ground running in pre-season and was confident Steven Gerrard’s side were on the right track this term.

Now the midfielder has backed the Light Blues to continue their progress in the coming weeks and months as they compete at home and abroad.

Halliday was part of the Gers squad that Gerrard took to Spain this summer as the Liverpool legend got his Ibrox revolution off and running.

Rangers may have still to hit top gear in the Premiership but they have been motoring in the Europa League as they have taken pole position in Group G with four points from their two matches with Villarreal and Rapid Vienna.

And Halliday believes there is plenty more to come from Gerrard’s side as they return to action after the international break with a trip to Hamilton tomorrow afternoon.

He said: “I think Marbella was key to that [spirit]. It was a two-week programme and I saw the boys’ mentality, fitness and togetherness all grow.

“Our football IQ, as I like to call it, came on leaps and bounds. I feel the application put in over every single day is the reason we are reaping benefits now.

“We know there is a long way to go, but we have come on a lot this year. The European run we have had so far has been a massive bonus and something the club had been looking forward to.

“We have had a couple of early positive results in the group stage there to put ourselves in a nice position, but the full focus now is about trying to improve that away form and it starts on Sunday.

“It’s important we apply ourselves the way we have in our positive performances. What we do every single day is what we want to take into Sunday.

“We have had a very good week’s training – and we haven’t had the opportunity of a full week of training too many times this season. We are certainly prepared to try and put in a performance.”

Halliday has had his own part to play for Rangers once again this term as he has become an integral part of Gerrard’s squad in recent months.

And the 27-year-old is relishing the opportunity to improve himself and help the Gers after fearing the writing may have been on the wall at Ibrox.

Halliday said: “I’m enjoying it. It’s all be positive so far, but there is still a long way to go. Any time I get into the team it is a huge honour.

“There has been a lot of improvements throughout the squad this year. One of the only disappointments we have had has been the away form, but I think that is something we can rectify on Sunday.

“We have had a couple of big performances and big results in recent weeks. It’s hard, but you want to keep that momentum going.

“After the last international break we bounced back well with a good win against Dundee. Hopefully that continues on Sunday.

“I told him (Gerrard) I was in debt to him about an hour ago and he told me off! So I can’t say that again.

“I certainly owe a lot for the chance and thankfully I have managed to repay him a couple of times in the games so far but there is a long way to go.

“It is a big weekend, but the most important thing is us getting three points on Sunday.”