IF any one player epitomises the resurgence in form and fortunes which Rangers have enjoyed since Graeme Murty was appointed interim manager back at the end of October then it is Josh Windass.

Murty may have described the midfielder as “one of the most frustrating people you will ever meet” in the immediate aftermath of the 2-1 win over Hibernian in Edinburgh on Wednesday evening due to his propensity to drift in and out of games.

But the Englishman, whose well-taken goal in the capital took his tally in the eight games since Pedro Caixinha was sacked to six, has done more right than wrong since there was a change of head coach.

Jason Holt, another who has featured regularly and flourished under Murty, feels the success his team mate, who he set up for his strike in midweek, is enjoying in front of goal at the moment is a result of a new-found confidence within the entire squad.

Would the Ibrox club, way below their best and outplayed for large swathes of the Ladbrokes Premiership match against their Easter Road rivals, have toughed out the victory under their previous manager? It is debatable.

It remains unlikely that Murty will be handed the job on a permanent basis even though the former Scotland right back has led Rangers to four consecutive victories for the first time in a year.

There can, though, be no denying the improvement in the team as a whole and in individual players like Windass has been impressive. The revival suggests the under-20 coach has a promising future in management if he chooses to go down that route.

“I think the spirit saw us through against Hibs,” said Holt. “We had to dig in massively and show real determination, in the second half especially. It says a lot about the belief we had in the squad. It has been really evident in the last two or three weeks.

“Since Murts has come in all the boys have thoroughly enjoyed working under him. He always gives 100 per cent and that is all you can ask. He has done really well.

“To be honest, I would have preferred it if we had got the ball down and passed it a bit more against Hibs, but sometimes you need to do that side of the game. It wasn’t pretty at times, but we came away with the three points and that is the main thing.

“We probably had a wee bit of luck on our side. In the second half, we were under a bit of pressure and sometimes you need luck in this game. Previously in the season we haven’t had it, but on Wednesday night we got it.”

Holt added: “Josh has been doing great. Previously he was doing well, but now he is adding goals to his game and it makes a real difference. He is really helping the team. We are all delighted for him because we know what he can bring to the team. We just want to keep seeing him progress as a player.

“He is a great lad off the park. Most of the boys have got a really good understanding with him on it. We work on the training pitch every day and know what his qualities are.

“He has shown the qualities he has got and the character he has got this season. When things aren’t going well, he is always available on the pitch. If we can keep seeing him progress we will all be delighted.

“I think the difference is probably a bit of belief and confidence to be honest. He has been doing well and once you get that first goal you find yourself going on a wee run and everything you touch seems to go in the back of the net. I think that has been the case for Josh and long may that continue.

“The belief runs right through the squad. The spirit saw us through and there was real fight amongst the whole squad. The confidence and spirit is growing in every game.”

The improbable 2-1 win over Hibs on Wednesday evening kept Rangers ahead of Aberdeen in second spot in the Premiership table on goal difference and stretched their advantage over their opponents to six points.

Holt anticipates the battle to finish runners-up in the top flight will go right to the wire and believes his side will have to draw on the battling qualities they exhibited in the second half of the 2017/18 campaign.

“There are a lot of good teams in this league and every game is tough,” he said. “We just need to keep showing the fighting spirit that we have been showing.

“I think previously in the season we lost a few games and it maybe takes its toll on you. But the confidence is growing throughout the team now and I think we have shown a different side to ourselves. We will keep trying to show that on the pitch.”

Holt was pleased to see Alfredo Morelos, who scored what proved to be the winning goal just before half-time, net for the second time in as many games and believes his return to form will help the Rangers cause massively going forward.

“Alfredo has had a tough time,” he said. “But he scored on Saturday and on Wednesday night. I am delighted for him. We know what he can bring to the team and know his qualities.

“It obviously helps massively if you have got a player scoring regularly. Throughout the season you will find yourself winning more games than you lose. Again, long may it continue.”