Danny Ruhl is optimistic about the shift in Rangers’ mentality

No problem in front of goal these days, with the eight getting past Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup at the weekend.

There were far tougher challenges for the Spiders against a promoted Rangers side, but they have suffered just one Premier League defeat under Ruhl – a 2-1 loss at Tynecastle in December.

This record is evidence of a coach’s ability to not only improve performance, but also a tougher mindset.

“Ten to twelve weeks ago, you’d go to games and you’d think ‘I hope, I hope’.

“Now you go into the game and say: ‘Of course we’re going to win, and if we do this and this and this right, we’ve got a great chance of getting the next few points.’

“That’s the most important thing for players – going into games thinking that if we do our stuff 100%, we’ll win games.” That winning mentality is great.”

After seven wins in their last eight Premier League games – the only point being a goalless draw at Easter Road – the winning mentality is now well established and entrenched, with Rangers firmly in what looks to be a three-way title battle with Hearts and Celtic.

Much will be learned about their resilience and mental fortitude by the end of this week, when they face league leaders Hearts as well as in-form Motherwell, who have not conceded a goal at Fir Park since mid-October.

“We have to take it game by game, and it really starts tomorrow,” Ruhl said.

“It feels great at the moment that we are going like this. We have had a lot of wins, conceded fewer goals, and are scoring goals. All things that give us great belief and confidence in what we are doing.

“But the season is still long, there are a lot of big games coming. It doesn’t make sense to look too far, but if we can continue on our path, there is a chance for more.”