Alan Hutton admitted that he could not believe a stat he heard about Rangers after their win against Dundee United.
Rangers beat Dundee United 4-2 in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday and, for 24 hours, were top of the table.
Hearts dropped points the following day to Livingston, playing a 2-2 draw, but one point was enough for them to reclaim top spot.
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Alan Hutton could not believe Rangers had not been top for two years
Even though it was for a day, it was the first time in two years that the Ibrox outfit found themselves atop the Scottish Premiership table.
Despite finishing second in the last two seasons, there was not one occasion in the past two years where Rangers sat at the summit of the SPFL.
Hutton admitted that this took him by surprise as he did not expect it to be the case, especially as at the start of the season, the lead kept changing due to a smaller number of games being played.
The former Rangers defender admitted that he was impressed with their efforts this season under Danny Rohl.
There was a double-digit gap between them and first place when he took over, and he thinks they will put pressure on Hearts at the top of the table.
The Light Blues control their own destiny as they face both Hearts and Celtic post the split and if they win their remaining games, they will be the champions.
Hutton told The Scottish Sun: “That was a crazy stat. I didn’t even realise it until I heard it was the first time in two years that Rangers have been top of the league.
“But I think when you’re chasing for that amount of time and you finally get to the top, I know it’s only for a day, but it does give you that belief.
“Rangers have been chasing for a long time, and they’ve cut the gap right down. They’ve now got above them and I think it may just put that pressure on Hearts.
“I wouldn’t say fear, but it makes Hearts a little bit uneasy knowing that they’re that close. Any sort of slip-up and another team can jump above them.
“So, from a Rangers point of view, I think it shows all their hard work has been paying off. They’re in the right direction and the right frame of mind. It’s just about kicking on now.
“Can you limit the mistakes and the drop points from now to the end of the season?
“If you can, then there’s a trophy to be lifted there.”
The post-split fixtures are here!
How many points do YOU see Rangers getting from them? 🤔
What is the team news ahead of the Falkirk game?
Every game is now like a cup final for Rohl and Rangers and they need to pick up three points against Falkirk on Sunday.
There is a possibility that the Gers go into the split as league leaders, but will need to win their game and hope that Hearts drop points.
Rohl does have most of his first-team players available, but three are expected to be ruled out for this one.
Bailey Rice is out for the season and is a guaranteed absentee, while Tuur Rommens is also not expected back before the split.
Ryan Naderi got injured against Dundee United and there is a possibility that he will not be back before the end of the season.
That has not yet been confirmed, but it seems like three Rangers players will surely be ruled out.
