ALEX MCLEISH is well versed in the nuances of a title race. If there is anyone who knows it is only important to be top once the final whistle blows, it is the former Rangers boss.

The two league crowns that McLeish won were clinched in the most dramatic of circumstances as Rangers beat Dunfermline and then Hibernian on memorable afternoons at Ibrox and Easter Road in 2003 and 2005.

McLeish, then, won’t get ahead of himself now that Steven Gerrard’s side have pole position in the Premiership title race. It is another sign of the progress Rangers are making at present, though.

The Light Blues edged closer to their Old Firm rivals a fortnight ago as they capitalised on Celtic’s draw with Hibernian and beat Aberdeen 5-0 at Ibrox.

And another 5-0 success, this time against Hamilton on home soil, saw the Gers move ahead of Neil Lennon’s side after they had slipped up away to Livingston.

The derby defeat at Ibrox last month is the only time that Rangers have faltered domestically this term and McLeish is encouraged with the way his former club have started their latest attempt at title glory.

He said: “There were two or three seasons when I was there that we were neck and neck all the time - top on the Saturday then Celtic top on the Sunday, or vice versa. I always remember the year of the Treble and we drew with Kilmarnock the first day and Celtic won their game.

“I opened the Sunday papers the next day and it was ‘league’s finished’

“That’s how people can perceive it at times when an Old Firm side drops points.

“Of course, winning the derby games are crucial too, but when an Old Firm side drops points to another team there’s a feeling that you should be winning every single game.

“He’s obviously got to play a bit of catch-up in terms of cash and Celtic have spent their money really well.

“They’ve also nurtured some really good young players and you have to give them credit for what they’ve done. But Rangers look like they are getting that confidence and Steven Gerrard has given them a bit of steel again.

“I saw the Old Firm game at the start of the season and everyone had high hopes. They are top of the league now - and they have to go and prove they can go and beat Celtic.”

The arrival of Gerrard last season reinvigorated Rangers and rejuvenated their supporters after a barren few years on the park and a tumultuous period off it at Ibrox.

The 39-year-old was left empty-handed at the end of his first campaign in the dugout but steps forward were taken domestically. On the continent, it was strides as Rangers reached the Europa League.

Gerrard gave the Gers fans a thrill on Saturday as he made a late cameo appearance in the Legends match with Liverpool. And McLeish wasn’t surprised to see the reaction the Anfield icon received from a support that are fully behind him this term.

McLeish said: “He’s done great, an amazing job. He’s got the gravitas and he’s a superb guy.

“You’d maybe think that someone with such a huge, world-class reputation would come here and show an ego, but no. He’s been really humble, he’s been brilliant in the Press and I really think that this is the man Rangers needed.

“I would never criticise fellow managers but this guy is pretty special and you can see that he wants to have a really successful managerial career just by what he’s done already.

“Yes, he’s still got to get that bit of silverware but you couldn’t have picked a better weekend for the charity game, with Rangers going to the top of the league the previous weekend. That made for a wonderful 30,000-strong reception.”

The Premiership title is the be-all-and-end-all for Rangers and boss Gerrard this season. But McLeish is pleased with their exploits in the Europa League as well as they look to progress from Group G.

He said: “When I was working abroad in Belgium, I was aware that the Belgians and a lot of other Europeans really valued European competition, even the smaller ones.

“They really wanted to get there and get as far as possible. Sometimes British clubs take the attitude that the Europa League is a bridge too far, but Rangers have adapted really well to the European scene this season.”