ON a day when the points were more important than the performance, Steven Gerrard got all of one and most of the other. There was no doubt which was needed most, though.

It wasn’t pretty at times, but it didn’t have to be. It was effective enough from Rangers as victory over St Mirren was secured and a three-game winless run was ended.

The trip to Paisley was made against an unfamiliar backdrop for Gerrard the manager and a group of players that have had far more commendations than criticisms directed at them this term.

The draws with Spartak Moscow and Kilmarnock, either side of the defeat to Aberdeen, had seen Rangers really questioned for the first time. They came up with the answers here.

As the wind and rain swirled around the Simply Digital Arena and the last ten minutes of an at times scrappy Premiership encounter approached, the travelling Gers fans could have been forgiven for thinking that it was going to be one of those days.

They had read the script and seen the movie on plenty of occasions in recent years as possession had been dominated but goals hadn’t been scored.

And the frustrations of the last three outings, where that pattern of play was followed once again, would have come to mind as St Mirren edged closer to an unlikely point.

The goals that eventually secured the win came late but they were no more than Rangers deserved after an improved second half showing that saw them dominate the Buddies.

Only Daniel Candeias will know if he meant to find the top corner of the net with an effort from the right flank but there was no doubting the second from Alfredo Morelos as he fired home from a tight angle in injury time.

There would have been a dose of relief amidst the euphoria as Rangers celebrated but experiencing that winning feeling was all that mattered on the park and off it.

The sense of injustice and bemusement was also prevalent, however, after referee Willie Collum inexplicably booked Candeias for a second time. The absurd decision rightly infuriated Rangers and was the only negative on an otherwise satisfying afternoon.

“We know these teams are going to dig in, they have got something to play for, they are going to fight and be difficult to break down, so it was about patience,” Gerrard said.

“The pleasing thing for me was that we kept going, we didn’t get frustrated with the breakthrough not coming, especially in the first 60-odd minutes.

“I am really pleased that the lads kept plugging away and kept creating chances. Ironically it came with a little bit of luck, but you make your own luck in this game and then we went and finished it off.”

Having let two points slip through their fingers at home to Kilmarnock in midweek, Rangers knew there was no margin for error against a side that are toiling at the bottom of the Premiership.

Conditions ensured this was never going to be a classic encounter but there was a spirit about Rangers as they stuck to their task and eventually got their rewards.

Observations, and concerns, about a lack of guile and creativity, especially from midfield, are valid and are also growing with some supporters.

The profligacy that denied them wins in the Europa League and Premiership and cost them dear in the Betfred Cup didn’t come back to haunt them against St Mirren, though.

That run only served to remind that Gerrard and his side are very much a work in progress, but the positives continue to outweigh the negatives overall for Rangers right now.

“We have had injuries, but so have every other team, that’s life,” Gerrard said. “Hearts have had a lot, Celtic have had some, that is just the way it is and we have to cope and get on with that.

“We have played a lot of football in a short space of time and I said on day one, and I have said all along, that we are going to have sticky moments, going to have setbacks and bumps in the road.

“The important thing is that we stick together and keep going and keep trying to do the right things.”

The changes that Gerrard made to the squad over the summer were substantial and it is still too early to determine just how good Rangers will be this term or how realistic their aims of silverware really are.

It was two of the players that Gerrard inherited at Ibrox that ultimately won the game for the Light Blues as Candeias and Morelos struck late on. There was a focus on one that was brought in during the close season, though, as Eros Grezda was handed his first start following his move from Osijek.

A darting run and low strike that hit the woodwork early in the second half was the highlight for the Albanian. There has to be much more to come this term.

“I thought he grew into it, I thought his best minutes were probably the last five,” Gerrard said. “He comes in and hits the post and he nearly gets that breakthrough, which would have helped him a lot.

“He has had a bad injury and he has had a tough time getting back to fitness but he will get better and better, I am sure, with more time and more minutes.”

Boss Gerrard will need every member of his tried and trusted first team pool to contribute in the coming weeks as Rangers face a run of fixtures at home and abroad that will shape their campaign.

Victory in Moscow on Thursday night would put them on the brink of a knockout berth in the Europa League but the visit of Motherwell on Sunday is arguably even more significant.

Once again, winning is all that really matters. The performances will bring plaudits, but it is points that Rangers need if they are to remain in contention for prizes this term.