God only knows how things would have panned out if Owen Morrison hadn't blasted an early shot over the top when he should have done better, Stevie Crawford should have slipped a pass to a team-mate instead of firing a second half shot straight at Allan McGregor and, after Boydie had fired us in front, Crawford again threatened when he was just inches away from making contact with a dangerous low ball across our six-yard box. Phew!
Of course, three glimpses of goal during the course of 90 minues hardly merited Dunfermline taking anything out of the game but I've quoted these incidents to underline just how close we came to blowing it again. The victory was very welcome, I'd love to think it marked the start of Rangers turning things around but I'm more inclined to believe that it was just a day when a few breaks, the likes of which have gone against us of late, went our way. Sure, we'll take it but we've got to look for so much more from our team.
Having seen off the managerless Pars, Rangers must now endeavour to do two-in-a-row for the first time this season at Tynecastle next Sunday and obviously, as the Mhanky Mhob disappear over the horizon, the weekend action will have a huge influence on how the battle for the other Champions League slot develops. We'll have to be a lot sharper than we were on Saturday and it worries me that we will go to Edinburgh hoping we rise to the task, rather than genuinely believing we'll do the business.
It might not seem like it in these difficult days but there have been worse times for Rangers. The grim pre-Souness years are a distant memory now but they are no less vivid. Nevertheless, we follow-followed everywhere and Paul Le Guen can be sure we will continue to do so, no matter what party line is being peddled.
Second spot is up for grabs at the weekend and, thanks to Saturday's hard-fought victory, we can grab it. Even with our ticket allocation slashed, the players can be sure of our vocal backing on Sunday and here's hoping the team can build on the small step forward we took on Saturday.
LITTLE BOY BLUE