RANGERS fans lived through the nightmare for several years but are now daring to dream once again.

And Ibrox legend Mark Hateley believes Steven Gerrard has woken the club from it’s slumber as he looks to end the long wait for success.

The arrival of Gerrard last term was a much-needed shot in the arm for a support that had become disheartened and disillusioned.

Now, though, there is belief and a buoyancy in the mood of a fanbase that, for too long, haven’t had their expectations matched by those tasked with the job.

Gerrard has overhauled the team and transformed Rangers’ fortunes in Europe. Cup silverware is a realistic aim this term, while his side will emerge from the international break top of the Premiership standings.

Few could have imagined the impact Gerrard would have in his first managerial position. Hateley always believed it was possible with the Liverpool legend at the helm.

“I am not surprised, let’s put it that way,” he said. “When Steven puts his mind to something, he invariably carries it through and pulls it off.

“You don’t play at the level that he played at, and for that length of time, without having a certain desire within yourself to succeed.

“All small margins add up in football, little gains can make you and little losses can cost you. We have seen that in football and in business and that is why the professionalism that Steven brings to the club is so important and it rubs off on everyone around the club.

“He got Rangers straight away, which was important. He knows how much it means to the fans and what the fans mean to the club, it is similar to Liverpool in that sense. He understands Rangers and to be where we are right now is great to see.

“This club has been sleeping, shall we say, for a while, but it has well and truly been woken now. All I can say is that Steven has played a massive part in waking this club up.”

Gerrard is the main figure at Ibrox but the efforts are collaborative and the 39-year-old would be the first to praise the endeavours of his staff and his players in restoring the feelgood factor to Rangers.

Hateley has seen at close hand the work that has been undertaken on and off the park, at both Ibrox and the Hummel Training Centre, in his role as a Club Ambassador.

And the nine-in-a-row hero is confident Rangers are heading in the right direction with Gerrard at the helm.

Hateley said: “All the top players have that edge, they want to achieve things and prove themselves, both to themselves and to other people. I think that is what makes them great players. For Steven, it is no different as a manager. When you are a player, you are only as good as the players around you at times. You can be a great player, but you won’t be successful if you are in a poor team.

“When you are a great player and you have the right people around you, that makes you even better and more successful. Steven has got a really good team around him and not just in a playing sense.

“With Gary McAllister and the staff, they have a really good understanding of how Steven is, how he works and what he wants and that is key. It is like any team on the pitch, you need to know what you are doing and they understand that completely. That builds confidence and there is a belief that they can achieve what they want to achieve.”

It was courtesy of their 5-0 win over Hamilton last weekend that Rangers claimed pole position in the Premiership title race.

Gerrard was quick to play down the significance of the achievement for his side and he will have spent recent days reflecting on a pleasing run of performances and results since the defeat to Celtic before the last international break.

The Gers boss won’t get ahead of himself as he prepares for the return to action against Hearts on Sunday and his players won’t be allowed to look too far ahead, either.

Hateley said: “Steven is a great motivator and he can talk from his own experiences in the game. He is not afraid to tell it how it is.

“He will support the players when they need supporting but he won’t hide from the media and he is brutally honest. That is the way you should be and he has that gravitas.

“He doesn’t pull any punches. If it is good, it is good. If it is bad, he will let you know. It is black or white and he won’t kid anyone on.

“He doesn’t kid himself on and he understands where we want and need to be and what it will take to get us there. That hard work, that level of professionalism, they are the things that he brings to the football club.

“When he came in, it was a no-brainer for me to come in full-time and do the job that I am doing with him here. It is great and the club is definitely moving in the right direction.”

The progress that Rangers have made under Gerrard has reinvigorated the Light Blue legions and the former England captain will now get a chance to experience Ibrox from a different perspective.

A charity dinner will be held this evening, while fans can see a host of former Gers stars line up against a Liverpool Legends side on Saturday.

Gerrard will pull on his boots once again. He will also wear a blue shirt as well as his red one.

Hateley said: “It will be difficult for Steven because he will want to end up on the winning side! It will be a great occasion and if he puts on a Rangers shirt that will be great to see for all the fans and they want to see him on the pitch as one of their own.

“Yes, it is a friendly game, but he will be running hard, tackling hard and he will be motivating whoever he is playing with. The end goal will be to be the winner at the end of the day, because that is what he is.”

*Rangers and Liverpool greats will face off in star-studded legends match at Ibrox and tickets are on sale now. Tickets are priced at £15 for adults, £10 for concessions and £5 for children and supporters can purchase tickets online, at The Rangers Ticket Centre or by calling 0871 702 1972.