JOHN BROWN is confident Rangers can be a Premiership force in their second season back in the top flight next term.

Mark Warburton’s side have seen their title dreams suffer a series of blows in the opening weeks of the campaign as they have fallen nine points adrift of Old Firm rivals Celtic.

Victory over Kilmarnock on Saturday moved the Light Blues up to second spot in the standings and a trip to Ross County is next on the agenda for the Gers on Sunday.

Read more: Garner embracing the expectation at Ibrox after baptism of fire at ForestThe Herald:

It will take a significant turnaround in fortunes for Rangers to stop Brendan Rodgers’ side clinching a sixth successive top flight crown but Brown is confident their domestic dominance can be challenged next year.

“I don’t worry about [ten-in-a-row],” he said. “Can you hold your breath for four years? It’s a long time and a lot of things can change and you can get a rub of the green.

“I think Rangers will be a force again next season and will be a hell of a lot stronger. I think the manager is getting to grips of what is required for the Premiership and he is learning about this football club. It’s about winning games. It’s fine talking about Plan A but I’m sure Mark is putting it across to the players that it’s about getting the sleeves rolled up to win the games.

Read more: Garner embracing the expectation at Ibrox after baptism of fire at Forest

“You’re in a city with two teams – well actually you’re in a country with two teams. No disrespect to the rest but none of them are going to win the Premiership – it’s either Rangers or Celtic.

“Celtic have the financial advantage – especially with the Champions League money – but you have to remember they reinvested in a new manager where the previous one was a short-term thing and the team suffered. They will continue to look to get young guys in that the can move on in a couple of years for a big profit. [Moussa] Dembele has been a great signing, for example.”

It has been a lacklustre start to the season for Rangers as they have collected just 19 points from their first 11 league outings and suffered derby defeats in the Premiership and Betfred Cup semi-finals.

The spotlight has shone on boss Warburton like never before during his Ibrox reign as pressure has mounted on his shoulders in recent weeks. Victory over Killie was a step in the right direction and Brown believes there is more to come from Rangers this term.

Read more: Garner embracing the expectation at Ibrox after baptism of fire at Forest

“I hope Mark gets the time because I like the way he plays football,” Brown, speaking at the launch of ‘Sandy’, written by Tom Miller, said. “He will have been blow away by the amount of paper coverage and people forget he has not managed that many games as a manager. He did well at Brentford the directors felt he had good ideas. The fans are buying into it.

“I don’t think many went to the Celtic semi-final not expecting to win but what they were expecting was not to get run over by five or six. The team has responded but whether they are good enough time will tell.”