THERE have been better weeks for Rangers to put it mildly.

When putting together my last column, the club had high hopes of getting to a Scottish Cup semi-final and sat eight points behind Celtic in the league. A big gap sure, but not an impossible one to bridge.

And now they are out of the cup and ten points behind their rivals who, let’s face it, were always odds-on favourites to win the league.

This means a season without a trophy, the third in a row since Rangers got back in the Premiership, and there’s some reflecting to be done. So here goes.

I would say this is probably a disappointing season and I say probably because there has been an improvement, some good performances and I honestly still believe there are more positives than negatives.

Let’s start with the good bits.

Steven Gerrard has won back the fans. This is important. They have backed the team, the manager and the board when that wasn’t so easy to do last season.

The man has had two transfer windows to turn around what was a bit of mess and while he won’t have any silverware to show for it, he’s changed the mentality of that football club.

The supporters believe the club is moving in the right direction, that Gerrard knows what it will take to get Rangers winning trophies again, a feeling which wasn’t there before.

Gerrard has brought hope but hope alone doesn’t win you football matches and with Celtic going for nine in a row, next season is humongous.

The manager said only last week that he won’t be here if he can’t win something for Rangers next season. He’s probably right. Gerrard didn’t come out with that for no reason. That’s the gig. He’s maybe been told that by someone at boardroom level. I don’t know.

To avoid this, he has to bring in some leaders which, again, is something he’s said himself.

Going out the cup at home to Aberdeen was bad enough, but I’m sure Gerrard was as angry about the actual performance. They didn’t play at all, didn’t rise to the occasion and were second best to Aberdeen at Ibrox. I felt it was meek exit.

Aberdeen bullied Rangers in midfield. They had Lewis Ferguson and Dean Campell, 19 and 17, in there along with Graeme Shinnie who is a natural left-back. They dominated Rangers at Ibrox. Not good enough.

Rangers had Ryan Jack, Glen Kamara and Scott Arfield, three experienced guys who were made to look like rookies. Once Rangers went behind, I didn’t think there was enough about them to win the game. Gerrard will know this.

It was the same on Saturday against Kilmarnock. Killie turned up knowing exactly how to play against Rangers, which is to get in their faces, don’t give them space and make the game physical.

They would have won the game were it not for Alfredo Morelos. This has to change.

What I will say is you an feel there is a bit or momentum there. The problem for Gerrard is that - and this is hardly all; his fault - that for a club like Glasgow Rangers to go another season without a trophy, not even a cup final, isn’t good enough.

I honestly believe he has done well in so many ways, but one thing I will say is that Steven Gerrard now knows how big a club Rangers are and how demanding the supporters are.

What he does next will be fascinating to watch.