Mr. Constant: Did Rohl turn the Rangers’ ship?

While Youssef El Chermiti earned rave reviews for his heroics in the Old Firm at the start of the month, he and Bojan Mevski missed chances on Thursday and questions remain over their ability to keep hold of the No.9 shirt.

McFadden said: “Rangers are not the finished article, there is still work to be done but they are moving in the right direction.” “There has been great progress, but they need to strengthen their ranks at the top.

“They’re winning games. Are they at their best? No, but it doesn’t matter. Somehow, they’ve managed to get themselves into the title race.”

At least there were some reinforcements. Toko Chukwane came in as a defensive midfielder, Ruhl also brought in left-back Tor Rommens – a problematic position given Jayden Meguma was the only natural at the position – and winger Andreas Skov Olsen.

The latter is a major coup, on loan from Wolfsburg, and adds much-needed quality to the wings. Djedi Gassama’s form has dipped, and although Mickey Moore is in the game, Oliver Antman is still sidelined through injury.

Given their ineligibility for the win over Ludogorets, the trio are expected to feature in some form against Dundee. This match could be vital in the grand scheme of the season, due to Hearts and Celtic meeting at Tynecastle on the same day.

“I thought this season was a write-off,” admitted Ibrox critic Stephen Thompson. “There were changes at board level, recruitment wasn’t good enough but Danny Ruhl flipped the script.

“You have to give him a lot of credit for that. Sometimes the football was good tonight, sometimes it was okay. But it’s a clean sheet in Europe, so that keeps the feel-good factor going.”

If the other two title contenders overcome on points, Rangers could be three points clear. Muskrat Heights from Martin’s early days.

“Danny Ruhl has done an absolutely fantastic job with this group of players,” former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday said. “There’s this lingering question – can they go that extra mile? A lot of people this group of players haven’t been able to step up.

“I think they need help, and the biggest help I can give them is the No. 9 at the top of the pitch.”