Danny Rohl does the maths as Rangers title credentials start to add up ahead of Hearts trip

The Ibrox club were closer to the bottom of the Premiership than the top when Rohl succeeded the hapless Russell Martin who had managed just one league victory before being ushered out the door in October.

Rangers’ performances have not exactly been exemplary on Rohl’s watch either but, unlike his predecessor, the new man is at least getting results, primarily off the back of a far more watertight defence.

It sees Rangers head to Tynecastle on Sunday to face league leaders Hearts knowing a victory and then in their game in hand would see them, at worst, just three points off the summit. And few could have imagined that scenario not so long ago.

“Of course it will be a tough game,” he said. “Everything is on. Games like this are why we play football. We’re facing a team that is top of the league. That’s great, it’s the challenge we want.

“There will be a great atmosphere in the stadium and we’re prepared for this. We know we can make the next step but we also won’t win the league at the weekend. This is also crucial.

“But of course [if Rangers win] then we will be just six points behind them, one more game in hand. If you [win] this then [the gap] could be three points and then the situation will change from when I arrived to now.

“But we know it's still a long way to go, still a lot of games to play. We have to do it consistently, we need clean sheets.

“I think my team feel it now, you feel the confidence. I think the win on Monday [versus Hibs] was a big one for us, it was a good start in a busy schedule.

“We know now the next six games are crucial until the cup game and then we’ll know exactly where we are. The first step we made so far and now it's about making the next step.”

Rohl is satisfied with what he has seen from his team so far but knows they can’t afford any slip-ups if they are to be seen as challengers.

“We have to take the points consistently otherwise you destroy all the good work,” he added. “This is crucial to continue our way.

“At the moment the team is able to get points. We’ve faced a number of opponents who are also on good runs in the league and taken a lot of points.

“From this point on we have to keep working hard. I think nobody will give us a present. But I'm very positive at the minute with how we are going and what we can improve.

“This was the topic also after the Hibs game, that we still have parts where we are not at our best. But even at the moment we take points. I think this is a good foundation.”

Rangers will be without injured Lyall Cameron while Nasser Dijga has joined up with Burkina Faso ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations. Bojan Miovski faces a late fitness test.