The Mark Of Success

Another wonder free kick from James Tavernier won three valuable points for Rangers – and shot new boss Mark Warburton into the record books.

Warburton is now the first manager since Bill Struth to steer Rangers to victory in his first six games.

It has to be said that Rangers did make heavy work of the encounter. The pace was a bit slow at times and Hibs kept the Ibrox men to a stuffy style of play. Once again, poor finishing cost the Easter Road side any spoils from the game but overall, the men in blue were worthy of their win.

That win came courtesy of a fabulous free kick out on the left wing which Tavernier landed neatly but powerfully just inside the frame and over Hibs’ keeper Oxley. Tavernier’s strike capped another fine performance by the man who has come to embody and epitomise Rangers under Mark Warburton. Young Barrie McKay was another who impressed and if the boy can add an end product to his skillset, he will be a hot prospect in a couple of years.

Defensive frailties were blatantly obvious and better, sharper forwards can and will punish the Ibrox side for these. Danny Wilson has not yet assumed a commanding position at the heart of Rangers’ defence and Kiernan is just not at this level.

It could be claimed that the important thing is the result and Rangers certainly finished with energy, seeing out the game despite a determined onslaught from Hibs. Funnily enough, the game was an advert for the one thing both sides sorely lack – an out-and-out proven goalscorer. The two combatants have players who can score goals but don’t have a predator striker. Kenny Miller is arguably a player whose remaining contribution is as an impact player coming off the bench; he is no longer the lethal centre forward who terrorised Scottish defences.

This game was an acid test of Rangers’ progress under Warburton and it was one which showed that, while the football has improved enormously under the Englishman’s leadership, there is still a fair way to go before Rangers can re-enter the top flight in a confident manner. The attacking philosophy is thrilling and refreshing but with weaknesses in defence, it could result in some heavy beatings from canny opponents.

The real challenge for Mark Warburton and Davie Weir will be one of complacency. Thinking all you have to do is turn up has been the undoing of many great sides and the 2Ws will have to keep the work ethic at the level it has been.

Rangers emerged from the first league encounter with their main rivals for the Championship as clear favourites for the title. But we haven’t really seen this side or the manager endure any real adversity yet. Nonetheless, it would be a real glass half-empty type of Rangers supporter who would not be very satisfied with what is happening pitch-side with The Rangers these days.

Warburton’s first six wins may not have the same significance as Bill Struth’s. Conceivably, they may mean even more. But one thing is certain.

Developing a winning habit is the mark of success in football.

And nobody can say Mark Warburton is failing to deliver there.

There is always room for improvement but Rangers under Warburton are already light years ahead of the sorry state of the team in previous years.