After a number of weeks where we had to grind out results, winning ugly in the parlance of the day, the performance at Swinecastle, then when coming from behind to put Dolly & Co in their place, was very easy on the eye. Suddenly we look the part again, knocking the ball about confidently, and in Steve Davis we might just have snapped up the best signing of the January transfer window. And with Cousin Dan's move to Fulham having hit the buffers, his presence could also be crucial as we get to the business end of the season.
With a wee break before we return to league action, there is every likelihood that our lead will be down to a solitary point before we face Hibs on March 22. We should not be overly concerned about this. Rangers are masters of their own destiny. If we look after our own business, there is nothing anybody else can do about it.
When the diver went down to get a late free kick at Love Street, and when Ra Sellick survived a ropey first half to win at Easter Road, I was a wee bit disappointed but I wasn't tearing my hair our like a few Bears I know. C'mon, in our heart of hearts, we always expected the Beggars to scrape through, we know better than to expect favours from anyone. We will win this league, or lose it, on our own merits.
March 29 looks like being the pivotal day. Having won the last three Old Firm clashes - and with three clean sheets too! - there should be no lack of self-belief in our ranks. The Muppet Mhob are the ones playing catch-up, lets see what they've got to offer when the heat is on. Methinks they have one or two previous convictions for caving in under pressure.
Much has been made, over-played even, of the contribution Aideninho has made to FC Semtex's title challenge but, if my memory serves me correctly, he hasn't been too impressive at Ibrox in the past. No doubt, the efforts of Alan Hutton have played a big part in his anonymity. I trust Kirk Broadfoot, or Steven Whittaker, or whoever else is detailed to look after the Castlemilk Irishman, will be on the blower to Hutts for a wee tip of two.
With our injuty problems easing, Walter suddenly has a few options open to him. It is essential that he makes the right choices. For some time now, David Weir has looked like he is in need of a rest and I'd like to see him get it before our nearest and dearest come calling. Their inclination to fall down at the first opportunity will put extra pressure on the big man so he will have to be right on top of the job. Mind you, if his performance against Bremen last Thursday night is anything to go by, maybe I'm talking shining bright.
And I'd be a liar if I said I was jumping with joy when we signed Christian Dailly but his first three performances have been right out of the top drawer. I reckoned a straight swop of Dailly for Weir would give Davie's tired old legs a rest and let him recharge his batteries in the run-up to March 29. Or maybe Walter knows more about this silly old game than I do. LOL!
The arrival of Steve Davis has certainly transformed our midfield. We now have someone who can take some of the weight off Barry's shoulders, another man who can bomb forward and support the front man in our 4-5-1 set-up. His goal on Thursday was surely just the first of many as the title run-in gathers momentum.
I must confess to having been involved in a few heated debates about who should lead the attack and, as pace and mobility are essential in the lone striker role, I'm afraid Boydie is a poor third choice behind JCD and Cousin Dan. Ideally, I'd plump for Darch but it is significant that here we are, midway through March, and he has yet to last a full 90 minutes. His pace would slaughter Caldwell and McManus but I'd hate to see him run them ragged, then let them off the hook by limping up the tunnel at a crucial stage in the game.
But Cousin is no slouch in the pace department and, having turned in his finest performance in a Rangers jersey on Thursday night, I'd like to think he is finally about to endear himself to the Rangers support. There could be no better way to do it then by producing something special in the big one.
Of course, even assuming we put some daylight between ourselves and Them, our two visits to Celtic Park will see Celtic in the last chance saloon and we all know that makes Timothy a very dangerous animal. This is where Walter really has to work his magic and make sure each and every man in a blue jersey stands up to be counted.
We are on an excellent run so confidence must be high. We are in the driving seat and, as Walter has said on numerous occasions, we just have to keep winning. It really couldn't be more simple, could it?
C'mon Rangers, you can do it.
KILLIE BILLY