WHEN it was decided that Rangers would go into the Third Division at the start of last season I think everyone knew there would be pain on the way back to the top.

That is certainly how it has been.

Going to all of these small grounds, in places supporters have never never been before, has not been easy at times. Pscyhcologically, preparing in changing rooms which are smaller than broom cupboards has also been tough.

Some of the performances have not been great.

Even though the Ibrox club have won the majority of their games in SPFL League One this season it has not been plain sailing. There has been more anguish on "The Journey".

It has, however, been a lot better than the previous season in League Two.

Ally McCoist has had more experienced players in his side this time around. To only drop four points has shown how consistent the team has been.

Yes, they have not been especially entertaining to watch at times. I think everybody had hoped and expected that the football would be ­better. But, once again, it is all part of the pain that was to be expected on the long road back to the top flight.

I am sure there are mixed emotions among the supporters. They pay good money for season tickets and I am sure they would like to see better fare on the field.

Having said all that, Rangers have won the third-tier title and promotion in record time. That has to be taken into consideration.

There are no big stars in this Rangers side. Ally is trying to, slowly but surely, build a team that can compete with Celtic for the Scottish title.

By the time that Rangers are in the SPFL Premiership I would imagine that half of the current side will not be in the team. But I would not bet against Jon Daly still leading the line with the goals that he has scored this season.

He is, by some distance, the leading scorer in the side. Daly's aerial prowess has been important to the team this season both in terms of scoring goals and creating chances for those around him.

Yes, he has not been himself in the last month or so. But he has still worked hard, while playing up front by himself, and has helped his team-mates.

Lee Wallace has also been outstanding at left back. At times, he has been more like a left-sided midfielder or a left winger given how well he has attacked.

I think that Wallace has probably created more chances for Rangers during their march to the League One title than anybody else in the side.

The youngsters, Fraser Aird and Lewis Macleod, have also been important members of the team.

Aird has grown in ­confidence. He is not great all of the time, but he is clearly learning. He has come on leaps and bounds and will only get better.

Lewis has been sidelined for several weeks now and the team has missed him during that time. He is a very ­confident and talented young man.

Nicky Law has scored some cracking goals from midfield and in goal Cammy Bell has made some important saves for the side when they have needed him to.

And at the back Lee McCulloch and Bilel Mohsni have restricted the number of goals that opposition teams have scored and have netted quite a few as well. There is, then, plenty for Ally to work with as Rangers prepare to go up to the Championship next season where the challenge will be far greater.

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