Rangers responded well to the midweek Old Firm defeat as they thrashed Hearts 5-0 at Ibrox to put any questions about mentality to bed in what was a scintillating performance.
Goals from Scott Arfield, Glen Kamara, Fashion Sakala, and a double by the returning Alfredo Morelos were more than enough to give the fans something to cheer about and ensure that the club was still only one point behind Celtic at the end of the day.
The result sets the Ibrox side up for another crucial league tie against Hibs on Wednesday evening as three key talking points emerge from the victory against Hearts.
Mentality questions quashed
The victory against Hearts was crucial in more ways than one, obviously, the three points were important, but the manner of the performance was impressive.
The players could have hidden following the defeat to Celtic and scrapped a result against the Jambos, but full credit to them as they came out and gave the Rangers faithful an afternoon to remember.
The manager adapted and changed the starting line-up and it worked well, with returning players such as Morelos and Ryan Jack crucial in the battle.
It was a statement of intent from the Gers winning 5-0 and the title race looks poised on a knife-edge.
Alfredo Morelos is key to Rangers title challenge
Everyone knew it before, but following his two-goal salvo against Hearts, Morelos is vital if the club want to retain their league title and secure the £40m Champions League jackpot.
The Colombian missed the previous two matches and the club struggled in his absence. The striker has been in fine form under Giovanni van Bronckhorst as a tactical tweak has allowed him to get back to his goalscoring best.
He is the best forward at the club and having him in great form gives the team a massive boost. The key question now is, can Gio keep him fit and hungry for the rest of the campaign?
Rangers have missed Ryan Jack
Only one positive can be taken from the defeat to Celtic and it was Ryan Jack getting 45 minutes in the tank.
The difference was incredible, although it wasn’t exactly hard to play better in the second half compared to the first, Jack brought that stability to the side that has been sorely missing this season.
This was demonstrated against Hearts as he transformed the team and was instrumental in the side’s performance.
The Scotsman could not have made his return at a better time and keeping him fit will be crucial for any further success.
Rangers’ next match is a league clash against Hibs on Wednesday evening at Ibrox, another win is all that matters, although fans may be expecting a similar level of performance that was evident against Hearts.
Meanwhile, Rangers were maybe right to not sign John Souttar in January following recent comments.
