THE only way was up, it had to be.

Rangers may not have hit rock bottom last month but they came perilously close to tipping over another precipice and hurtling towards new depths, even by their standards, as results went from bad to worse.

It was the kind of run that will send shivers down the spine when the fans recall it and bring back memories they wish could be erased forever.

If an abject loss to Celtic at Hampden wasn't hard enough to stomach, the outlook soon got bleaker. Defeats to Raith and Hibernian followed and while revenge was gained on Rovers, normal service was quickly resumed as Kenny McDowall's side turned in a turgid display at Falkirk, were held to a goalless draw by Cowdenbeath and threw away two points at home to Queen of the South.

At that stage, there were fears Rangers, favourites for the Championship title at the start of the campaign, could miss out on a place in the play-offs and finish fifth this season. Amongst all the embarrassments they have suffered on the park in recent years, that would have topped the lot.

Fast forward one manager, three weeks, four fixtures and eight points and the outlook is far more promising for Rangers. The Stuart McCall era may have got off to an auspicious start as Livingston and Alloa drew at Ibrox but the signs of progression, and subsequent wins over Hibernian and Cowdenbeath, have heartened supporters, raised the spirits of a group of players that looked bereft of confidence and parted the dark clouds that hung over Ibrox for so long.

There is still some way to go before McCall has cured all of Rangers' ills, a task that won't be completed this season, but there is no doubt he is on the right track. The visit of Hearts tomorrow afternoon will test just how far Rangers have come and McCall, undoubtedly pleased and encouraged, is realistic about what lies ahead.

"I said when I came in after the two draws against Alloa and Livingston that football can change so quickly and, after our two victories, it can change the other way," McCall said. "There is no complacency. But it is nice to see people around the place with a spring in their step. That was my first objective really, to get a bit of belief and raise the confidence levels.

"The two home games, we were hoping to get maximum points and didn't, but the level of performances have improved and, with that, comes a bit of belief. I can only go from what the other members of staff have said, they have had a lift themselves because they are playing better."

The mood in and around Murray Park, and in the stands at Ibrox, has been lifted since McCall's appointment last month and there is a far more positive outlook about Rangers' prospects of promotion this season. There is still work to be done, though.

Rangers will meet Hearts twice - tomorrow and on the final day of the season - and also face play-off hopefuls Falkirk and Queens before the end of the campaign. They are matches that give McCall's side a chance to move closer to securing their play-off place, and also put down a marker in the event that either club stands in their way once the promotion matches begin.

The belief that is now apparent in the team, whether it has come from McCall's infectious personality, methods or just the pleasure of scoring goals and winning games, has spread to the supporters. It is a significant change from the days where fans trudged home after witnessing another tame display and the players were booed from the park.

"Results bring [confidence] really, and performances," McCall said. "We are still in the early stages and there is a long way to go. The only thing we said right at the beginning was that, despite all the criticism and whatever that went on, on and off the park, whatever it might be, the season can still be a success.

"While we still had that to go for, there is no point feeling sorry for ourselves and moping about. The aim at the start of the season was to be champions, but the main aim was to get out of the league and that can still be achieved. While that can still be achieved, it is no good moping about."

Having gone five games without a win, Rangers now have their sights set on three-in-a-row as they prepare to welcome Hearts, and give them a guard of honour to mark their achievement and status as champions, tomorrow afternoon. It is on the pitch were the signs of progress have been seen but it is at Murray Park where McCall's blue print has been put in place.

"But I have enjoyed the last two weeks when I have had a lot more time on the training ground," McCall, who will continue to monitor Josef Shirdel and Milos Milovic in the coming days after they joined his squad for training, said. "I have enjoyed that. Football is all about winning matches but I have enjoyed that part of it and getting a reaction from the players.

"It is about trying to get your message over and, in any walk of life, when you are doing that and you are getting feedback, it is great.

"We have done nothing yet. We have won a couple of games and we have got a lot of hard work to do. We want to get into the play-offs with momentum. It is all to play for."