THE significant step forward against Celtic was followed by one back at Kilmarnock. Against Livingston, Rangers moved in the right direction once again.

Defeat for Steven Gerrard’s side at Rugby Park in midweek undone a lot of their good work from the Old Firm victory before the winter break. This wasn’t a super Sunday, but it was certainly more than satisfactory as a tricky encounter was overcome with relative ease.

Goals from Ryan Jack and Ryan Kent either side of the break were enough to ensure there would be no repeat of the wretched result here earlier in the campaign. Alfredo Morelos completed the scoring as Rangers moved back up to second spot in the Premiership.

A second loss at the Tony Macaroni Arena would, for many, have ended the Light Blues’ ambitions of lifting the title this term. Now, that goal has been given a much-needed shot in the arm.

Victory here was more than merited as Rangers rose to the challenge and went some way to proving a point to their critics and silencing their doubters. That will, of course, need to be done on many more occasions in the coming weeks.

There has been much debate over Gerrard’s tactical approach in recent days following his decision to switch to a 4-4-2 formation at Rugby Park. It was a system that allowed him to accommodate both Steven Davis and Jermain Defoe but the result, of course, wasn’t what the 38-year-old expected or required.

It was individual errors rather than the shape of the team that cost Rangers against Kilmarnock, though. Gerrard changed to a more familiar 4-2-3-1 here but, above all, he needed his players to perform to the level he knows they are capable of, and that they have shown they are able to reach.

There were returns for Borna Barisic and Nikola Katic in defence, while Ross McCrorie took over from Davis in the middle of the park and Defoe had to settle for a spot on the bench as Daniel Candeias came back into the team. It was a more familiar line-up and formation and Gerrard needed it to pay dividends.

The Gers boss had been pleased with how Rangers started in midweek but his side couldn’t capitalise while they were on top after Defoe had given them the lead. They had themselves in the same position here after half an hour.

There was a purpose and energy about the way Rangers started and they quickly assumed control of the game. Chances, though, came and went.

The first two were set up by Barisic as a teasing corner was headed just over by McCrorie when the midfielder really should have at least hit the target.

When the Croatian swung in a cross for Morelos minutes later, the ball was just too high for the Colombian and he couldn’t get a proper connection as his header didn’t trouble Liam Kelly.

These chances were positive signs for Rangers at least. Kent had started impressively on the left, while Candeias gave Morelos the clearest chance of the opening spell.

The Portuguese did brilliantly to win the ball from Ricki Lamie and then curl a low cross into Morelos’ path from wide on the right.

The striker beat Kelly with a low effort, but the ball came back off the keeper’s right-hand post as Livingston, who only had an effort from Steven Lawless to their credit, breathed another sigh of relief. For Rangers, there was frustration.

Gerrard would have been well aware that his side had to capitalise while they were on top. Soon, they did just that.

Morelos played a huge part in the opener as he burst into the box down the left before Scott Arfield knocked the ball out to Jack. His strike was low towards the corner but it should have been dealt with easily enough.

It wasn’t. Kelly has been a reliable and key performer for Livi this term but his rare mistake was costly as the ball slipped through his grasps and trickled over the line.

There may have been a touch of good fortune about the opener, but it was no more than Rangers deserved at this stage as Livingston failed to cause them any real problems.

The hosts did come back into the game as the first half ticked on but they weren’t making life as difficult for Gerrard’s side as the Gers would have expected.

Comfortable on the park and ahead on the scoreboard, the job was half done for the Light Blues. There was no margin for error.

Within minutes of the restart, they had even more room for manoeuvre. After missing a golden chance to score, Kent made no mistake with his second opportunity.

The winger should have found the net when Candeias and Tavernier combined well down the right and the Gers captain curled in a cross, but Kent’s effort was wide of the far post.

The next time Tavernier advanced forward and got into the box, he picked out Arfield as Rangers threatened once again.

Morelos tried to flick his shot beyond Kelly from close range and the ball fell to Kent. On this occasion, his finish was emphatic.

That certainly eased any nerves that were lingering for the away support and it was a case of game management for Rangers now as they moved towards a deserved victory.

Dolly Menga was replaced by Gregg Wylde moments after spurning Livingston’s chance of a quickfire response. If there was to be a third goal, it looked like Rangers that would get it.

Morelos almost capped a fine afternoon with a strike as he won the ball in an aerial challenge with Kelly but his effort was wide of target. The Livi keeper would tip a Morelos header over the bar just minutes later but he wouldn’t be denied again as he rounded Kelly and finished with aplomb from a tight angle to put a worthy shine on the scoreline.

This was much more like it from Rangers. It must now become norm rather than the exception if they are to be title winner rather than contenders this term.