IT was a night and a fixture that was endured rather than enjoyed. It was one which Giovanni van Bronckhorst still takes satisfaction from.

Come the end of the campaign, the 1-0 victory over Livingston could be seen as a pivotal moment in the title race. A week after dropping points for the first time as Rangers manager, Van Bronckhorst saw his side maintain their narrow lead in the Premiership.

It took a moment of invention and inspiration from Scott Arfield to win it for the champions as his acrobatic flick, from a Borna Barisic cross, looped into the net to finally give a frustrated and freezing Ibrox crowd something to warm their hearts.

Wednesday evening was a chance for Van Bronckhorst's fringe players to shine and a test for the squad depth that will be so important over the final months of a title race that could easily go all the way come May.

The introductions of Arfield and Kemar Roofe changed Rangers' fortunes for the better. On Saturday, Ryan Kent and Joe Aribo will also be welcomed back into a side that still need a spark after the winter break.

"I’m happy with the win," Van Bronckhorst said as he reflected on the Livingston clash and looked ahead to the trip to Dingwall. "It was very difficult circumstances to play in these conditions against a team who did well.

"They made it very compact and we couldn’t play the game we needed against this opponent. It was difficult to control the ball and pass the ball, especially with the wind.

"In the end, I think we created enough chances to score goals but we only scored one. That made us the winner, which is the most important thing.

"I’m really happy that I could sub Scott Arfield because we know how important he is for the team. We could put him in for the last 30 minutes.

"Same with Kemar. Ryan Jack is back as well. So the squad is getting back to full fitness.

"Injured players are coming back and for the weekend we have players back, especially Ryan Kent and also Joe.

"This win is very important for us and now we can work hard with a bigger squad for the next fixture."

That next fixture, of course, will come against Ross County. If the Staggies are seen off, then Rangers will head into derby day in fine fettle and in a promising position.

Celtic maintained their own momentum with victory over Hearts in midweek but the champions can only focus on themselves and take care of their own business right now.

"It’s very crucial," Van Bronckhorst said. "We want to win every game no matter the circumstances.

"There are two teams with the same circumstances and we have to make sure that we are the winners in the end. It was very difficult but we are really pleased with the points.

"For me, the next game is the most important, an away game against Ross County. We have two days to prepare so all the energy we have now will go into the three points on Saturday."

For long spells of a one-sided affair, Rangers looked to be heading for a costly draw as Livingston held out and edged their way towards a battling share of the spoils.

The decision not to select Arfield from the start was ultimately justified for Van Bronckhorst. Had the game turned out differently, views would not have been as kind towards the Dutchman.

Van Bronckhorst said: "In an ideal world [Arfield would have started], yes. But I think we have to be smart as well with our players coming back from injury.

"It’s tempting to put Scott in from the first minute but I think we did well. For me, it was also tempting to put Joe (Aribo) straight away in the team but he’s had two days of flying back from Africa.

"Those are the decisions you have to take because it’s not only the game [on Wednesday].

"We play many more games in the coming weeks and sometimes you haven to be thinking a little bit rational and say ‘okay this is the smart ting to do.’

"But of course if you score in the 75th minute, you know you only have 15 minutes left.

"We were pushing for the goal. After it went 1-0, we had some chances to score the second goal but in the end three points count."

The goal from Arfield was a moment of magic to light up a dull night. It was always going to take a piece of skill and something out of the ordinary to break Livingston's resistance.

The partnership of Glen Kamara and James Sands was workmanlike for the first hour and only Alex Lowry showed any creativity in the middle of the park. It was a selection of necessity rather than tactical nous on Van Bronckhorst's part.

Van Bronckhorst said: "You are also looking of course at which players you have available. We don’t have many midfield players.

"That’s why I gave Alex the chance to start. We miss the qualities he has now in the squad. So it was very important for me to play with him.

"With James and Kamara, we wanted to give our full-backs more chance to go up, especially in the wide areas. But we had to change that when the game progressed.

"I knew I had Scott for the last half hour. That’s why I could play with two midfielders a little bit higher up. It was also a little bit to do with the players who were available.

"For Saturday, I have Joe back and Scott can play. And Alex, of course, so I have more choice.

"In the end, we were happy with the win, especially the last 10-15 minutes with Jack coming in and Scott also in the game. You could see we were stronger. I am happy for Scott that he made the winner, not only for himself but also for us as a team and as a club."