It was in keeping with the nature of Rangers' season that a subdued display did not prevent the team winning the Irn-Bru Third Division title.

This was another occasion that had to be endured, but that would soon have been forgotten when the team learned of its success during the bus journey back to Glasgow. Few people will dwell on this moment in Rangers' history, either, since the purpose is not glory but to return the club to the top flight.

With this game kicking off at midday, Rangers could take their careworn mood on to the bus and yet return to Glasgow elated. Queen's Park's 1-0 defeat at home by Elgin City meant that the Ibrox side were crowned champions during the journey home, and the manager Ally McCoist was struck by the intensity of the reaction among his players. They valued the moment, the sense of having achieved something that needed to be done, and a few concerns may have lifted.

Rangers have scored only once in three games since losing 2-1 at home to Annan Athletic, and the best that McCoist could say about this display was that it was another clean sheet, the third in three games. The team lacks dynamism and creativity, although David Templeton was occasionally a rousing figure in attack. In truth, that was also in keeping with this season, which has been characterised by mostly mundane collective displays that have sometimes been enhanced by individual accomplishment.

"We are frustrated in ourselves," said promising young defender Chris Hegarty. "We are not creating chances and that needs to change, but we are taking the criticism on board. We know ourselves we should be scoring more goals. We are going through a wee drought but I'm sure there will be plenty of shooting practice this week and next week we will go out positively and beat Queen's Park at Hampden."

Hegarty's progress is symbolic of Rangers' campaign. He has potential, there have been some difficult moments, but mostly he can look back and recognise that he has benefited from the rigours of the season. The squad will not stay intact, since players will be signed and, although McCoist wants greater strength in depth, some of the current players will be replaced.

For the likes of Hegarty, Lewis Macleod, Barrie McKay, Fraser Aird and Kyle Hutton this has been something of an education. Few teams prompt such disgruntlement from their own fans on the day that they win the league.

The shouts to change to 4-4-2 were born out of frustration, but McCoist did not have two centre-forwards to call upon anyway. Expectations remain, for all the difficulties that Rangers have faced.

"This season's been a massive learning curve and I've enjoyed every minute of it – the ups and downs," said Hegarty. "There's a lot of pressure on us at such a big club. We'll be better for the experience. I'll grow from this. It's my first season and it's maybe going to be the hardest I ever have. But it will stand me in good stead for the rest of my career."

The away fans were hopeful of a celebration. As the game kicked off, they sang about being champions again. Even if the achievement bears little relation to past glories, the supporters still recognised the worth of anticipating the moment. There was encouragement, too, in that Rangers were initially spirited.

The mood was of ambition and optimism, with most of it gathering around Templeton. The winger was irrepressible at times, volleying one effort on target from 30 yards that forced John Gibson, the Montrose goalkeeper, into an improvised save. Yet Montrose were soon performing solidly, with Jamie Winter probing from midfield and Paul Watson delivering quality crosses from left-back. By the second half, the game was even, and Montrose were unfortunate to see Martin Boyle's goal disallowed for a foul on Neil Alexander that later appeared to have been committed by Hegarty.

"I didn't see what was happening because Neil Alexander was standing on top of me at the time," the defender said. "It might even have been me that fouled him. We got a bit of luck."

It was what Rangers needed.