COMING from behind at the very death to defeat Partick Thistle 2-1 at Firhill back in November ultimately made little difference to Mark Warburton at Rangers.

But could doing exactly the same thing against the same opponents and at the same venue yesterday prove significant for his successor Pedro Caixinha?

The Ibrox club, thrashed by a record 5-1 scoreline at home by Celtic eight days earlier, was just minutes away from a second successive ignominious defeat, their first to Thistle in 24 years to be exact, here.

Read more: Pedro Caixinha: I would rather have DIED than watch Rangers crash to Partick Thistle defeatThe Herald: Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald, left, and his Rangers counterpart Pedro Caixinha give out instructions to their players during the Ladbrokes Premiership match at Firhill yesterday.

Not since way back on May 4, 1993 – when Walter Smith’s side, having just completed their fifth consecutive Scottish title, crashed to a 3-0 loss away in what was a meaningless fixture – had Rangers lost to their city rivals.

A first-half Kris Doolan goal had given the home side, who had shown why they have secured a top six Ladbrokes Premiership place for the first time in their history by controlling play, a deserved lead which at no stage had they appeared in danger of surrendering.

If anything, they should really have built up on it. Niall Keown and Ryan Edwards both went close and Stevie Lawless had a header tipped over the crossbar. Rangers could easily have been killed off had their superior hosts capitalised on their scoring opportunities.

Their Portuguese coach, though, deserves great credit for orchestrating an impressive fightback and securing what was an improbable triumph. He made three substitutions and altered his formation twice during the second half. His extensive changes had the desired effect.

Caixinha threw on Clint Hill for Martyn Waghorn, Barrie McKay for Jason Holt and debutant Jamie Barjonas for the injured Danny Wilson with his charges trailing 1-0. He switched from a 4-3-3 to a 3-4-3 and even ended up playing, at the very death, a 4-2-4 system. It was all pretty drastic and desperate. But there could be no denying it worked.

McKay levelled with seven minutes remaining just seven minutes after coming on after getting on the end of a Foderingham clearance upfield, controlling the ball beautifully, rounding Christie Elliott and Liam Lindsay and prodding past Thomas Cerny.

Joe Garner clinched victory in the fourth and final minute of injury-time after Kenny Miller had chipped the ball back to him from the byline. Having been singled out for abuse by the opposition supporters during the course of the game it was a sweet moment for the striker when his header arched beyond Cerny and into the net.

His late effort booked a return to European football for Rangers after a six year absence. The Ibrox club will play in the first qualifying round of the Europa League at the end of next month. The groundwork for that achievement was laid before the current manager had arrived. But this result will have been welcome given the criticism he has been subjected to of late. It could even be a turning point.

Read more: Pedro Caixinha: I would rather have DIED than watch Rangers crash to Partick Thistle defeat

As ever where Rangers are concerned these days, however, nothing is straightforward. Once again, they were unconvincing for long spells under their new manager. They would have been fortunate to draw never mind triumph.

Nobody denies that Caixinha has inherited a group of players from his predecessor which is low on confidence and lacking in the quality needed to fulfil the expectations of the club hierarchy and supporters and challenge for major honours.

But it is also apparent that the 46-year-old is toiling to adapt to the game here and his personnel are struggling to adjust to his methods. “It will take a bit of time to buy into what he wants,” said Garner. “It is a little bit of change for everyone at the club.”

Will things improve when players are offloaded and replacements brought in during the summer? Only time will tell.

The Rangers players came out of the tunnel to be greeted by a lengthy banner which read “Do not wear our badge if you’re not prepared to give everything”. Nothing like being given the full backing of your own followers just before kick-off.

Despite that, the visitors started well enough. Miller volleyed wide and Garner struck the side netting after some good work by Josh Windass. But their old failings at the back had soon resurfaced.

Stevie Lawless released Elliott down the right wing in the 15th minute and the full-back squared the ball to Doolan inside the opposition six yard box. The forward stooped down to meet the delivery and headed beyond Foderingham. It was his 15th goal of the 2016/17 campaign. An inability to replicate that finish cost a Thistle side Archibald felt looked jaded.

Read more: Pedro Caixinha: I would rather have DIED than watch Rangers crash to Partick Thistle defeat

The team selection for this match seemed ominous for Hill. The 38-year-old centre half, whose contract expires at the end of this season, admitted last week that he was hoping to be offered an extension. Yet, he found himself on the substitutes’ bench at kick-off. His omission from the starting line-up suggested that he may be looking for another club shortly.

Caixinha has been linked with moves for Bruno Alves, the experienced Cagliari and Portugal defender, and Rashid Sumaila, the young Ghanian who he worked with at Al-Gharafa, in recent days.

It will be harsh on Hill if he is indeed released. But professional football can, as the Partick Thistle players and their supporters will readily testify today, be cruel.