Tav does what Tav does.

I said in last week’s article about the captain and his moments of sheer inspiration. At Rugby Park, he produced another one right when Rangers needed it. But he wasn’t the only one. 

Shortly after a huge Jack Butland save, as Matty Kennedy seemed destined to score, Rangers were clinging on with their fingertips. But that stop kept them in it and it was another huge moment for Rangers in a season where he has produced so many. 

But that all came after a poor first half, a first half where Rangers didn’t move the ball quickly enough and never really recovered from the early penalty setback. 

The truth is, the managers' team selection didn’t work. Borna Barisic is now clearly behind Ridvan Yilmaz at left-back but Borna contrived to show the nerves that we all worry about. He conceded a bizarre free-kick which led to the opener. He was then cautioned and just never looked comfortable before his withdrawal at the break.

Ross McCausland worked his socks off wide right but it wasn't his night and Fabio Silva also struggled. The three changes the manager made to the starting line-up never really worked out. 

READ MORE: Rangers' win over Kilmarnock was once a game lost - that's why they can be champions

Rangers lacked that intensity from Saturday’s hugely impressive victory over Hearts but Kilmarnock was always going to be a different encounter, especially on that pitch. When the three changes were made, both Ridvan and Cyriel Dessers coming at half time with Dujon Sterling a further 10 minutes in, Rangers looked much more like their old self. 

That aforementioned vital save from Butland seemed to wake Rangers up but it also made Killie open up slightly too as they sensed a second goal, but that cost them. For the first time in the game, Tom Lawrence got free in that space between the middle and forward line, because the hosts had pushed on before he was chopped down outside the box.

It was a pivotal moment, the captain did what inspirational captains do and bent it beyond the goalkeeper who just couldn’t keep it out. It was a moment that defined James Tavernier's time here at Rangers. When we needed a moment of magic, Tav does what Tav does. 

Rangers had the bit between their teeth and were in front soon after when Lawrence fired past Will Dennis. It came from a quick throw, urged in by the manager who got the ball to Dessers to take it, he then got it to Oscar Cortes, who played it back to Dessers. He couldn’t control it but a heavy touch by the defender presented the ball perfectly for Lawrence.

Rangers had turned the game around and despite hitting the bar and then having two penalty shouts turned down, the second of which was a blatant outstretched hand, Rangers defended well and limited Kilmarnock to very little. 

In fact, Butland's save at the start of the second half proved to be his last real action of the game.

Hearts was a glittering performance where five could easily have been eight. Rangers pretty much had it all their own way but Kilmarnock was different. Rangers had to come from behind against a team who are notoriously difficult to penetrate and play against, especially once teams go behind against them.

We had to respond to the adversity of not performing well in that first half. All of that combined meant Rangers had questions to answer and they certainly answered them.

Now Rangers simply have to keep going, every game is huge, every game has meaning but every team is fighting for something. There are no easy fixtures but this team has shown they are up for the fight.

READ MORE: 'That’s really not clear for me' - Clement on Rangers penalty call and mental spirit

Could they beat a high-flying Hearts side? Yes, and very comfortably. Could they respond at Killie on that pitch after going behind? Yes, they could. Style vs resilience but it’s something Rangers will need a lot of in the coming months as this title race is destined to go to the wire. 

But these are two statement wins for Rangers in different styles and for different meanings. 

The manager told Rangers TV before the game: “If we can take this one, it will make a really big statement I think.”

Well Rangers did win it and a statement has been made. All Rangers have to do now is follow it up and continue to do so one game at a time. 

But for the moment they deserve every plaudit coming their way. Philippe Clement has got this team accustomed to winning. Now onto Motherwell.