HEARTS ensured that Steven Gerrard wouldn't mark his Rangers centenary in style.

But Gary McAllister reckons the Light Blues could have to hit the 100 points total if they are going to clinch the Premiership title this term.

The shock 2-1 defeat at Tynecastle on Sunday was just the second that Rangers have suffered on league duty this season. After losing the first Old Firm clash of the campaign at Ibrox, further points were lost to Hearts and Aberdeen before the winter break.

Celtic now sit five clear of Gerrard's side at the top of the table but the Gers still have a game in hand to come as they look to overhaul their title rivals and lift the silverware.

Given the consistency of both, and the superiority they have over the chasing pack, it could take a three figure points finish to separate the sides come May.

"It won’t be far away," McAllister said when asked if it could be a 100 point season.

"That’s why we’ve got to be ready to go again. We’ve got three home games now. I don’t have to tell you what the target is and what we need.

"That result on Sunday has wiped away the one at Celtic Park. We’ve just got to build and go again.

The Herald:

"We’d a tremendous run of results. We’d been on a massive run. I thought the run would have continued but it hasn’t so we’ve got to start again.

"In this game in particular, just get back to the basics of individual battles and wining the lose balls.

"It’s as simple as that. Then all the good stuff that you’d seen previously will fall back into place."

The long unbeaten run that Rangers put together following the derby defeat at Ibrox ensured that Gerrard's side went into the break with high hopes.

Flat performances against Stranraer and St Mirren proved to be a sign of things to come as they were deservedly beaten by Daniel Stendel's side.

The loss of midfielder Ryan Jack - who faces up to a fortnight out with a calf knock - added salt to the wounds.

And McAllister knows they must respond in the right way to avoid further slip-ups.

He said: “The players have set the levels. They were majorly disappointed.

"They have got to respond and they are the ones who need to get rid of the disappointment because there is very little time to dwell on it.

The Herald:

"We need to crack on now. Even prior to this result we knew we would have to be pretty perfect.

"That is the demand here. We are looking at the teams and the games coming up. We take games in little batches and there is no room to slip-up."

The visit of Ross County this evening is a chance for Rangers to get back on track.

There is now no margin for error at the top of the table.

McAllister said: "I’ve touched on the fact that in these games coming up at Ibrox teams will pack their defences.

"I think there has been an understanding from the stands.

"I think we’ve seen some patience. But come the moment again where they don’t see us competing and fighting for the right to play football, to try and break down a low block, that’s when they’ve got every right to voice their opinions.

"But I’ve sensed a bit of knowledge coming from the stands. The belief can’t go away and the expectancy of the staff here. We’re here to try and win. We don’t see anything else."