THE evidence put forward by the prosecution left the defence with a considerable case to answer.

But Danny Wilson and Rob Kiernan should not have been under question according to Rangers legend John Brown.

The post-mortem into Rangers’ defeat to St Johnstone last week was forensic as many witnesses had their say and gave their verdict on the first defeat of the campaign for Mark Warburton’s side.

There were doubts raised over the manager’s attacking approach, criticism directed towards his Light Blues back line and claims that the loss was conclusive proof Rangers are not yet good enough to compete in the Premiership.

The performances of Wilson and Kiernan, the men who have been at the heart of Rangers’ rear guard for most of the campaign, came under the microscope as the goals that handed the Saints a 3-1 win were conceded far too easily.

It was, in Rangers’ twelfth outing, their first, and remains their only, defeat this term as they recovered to keep a clean sheet and see off Morton on Sunday.

And Bomber believes the Wilson and Kiernan pairing will benefit from more minutes together and go on to be a reliable duo for the Light Blues.

“A lot of people were critical of them after the St Johnstone game,” he told SportTimes.

“But you have to remember they are only a few games into a new partnership in a new team.

“It takes time to gel. I think they have done very well overall and some people are getting carried away by the St Johnstone result.

“They are still learning, they are getting to know each other as a partnership together and with the goalkeeper and the midfield players. It is about getting an understanding.

“Up to now, they both get pass marks and they will want to keep improving.

“It is virtually a brand new team. It is not as if it is two new defenders coming into a team that has been playing together for years.

“Overall they have done very well. They have handled the Championship and have a number of clean sheets.

“It is work in progress and the more games they play together the better they will become.”

Boss Warburton was irked by some of the comment and coverage directed towards his side in the aftermath of the League Cup loss last week but turned the negatives into a positive as Rangers returned to winning ways at Cappielow.

The way in which Rangers play, with full-backs James Tavernier and Lee Wallace bombing forward and the midfield trio looking to play quick, incisive and attacking football can leave Wilson, Kiernan and keeper Wes Foderingham exposed at times.

Glasgow Times: James Tavernier celebrates with Rangers team-mate Martyn WaghornJames Tavernier celebrates with Rangers team-mate Martyn Waghorn

The 4-3-3 system places significant emphasis on the holding midfield role, one which Andy Halliday has performed with aplomb thus far.

And Brown insists there has to be a collective effort to ensure Rangers are able to avoid losing more of the same kind of goals as their defence has been split open too easily on occasion this term.

He said: “In my day, the main importance was the guy playing behind you, the guy beside you and the guy in front of you. Everyone needs to understand each other.

“It is not just about the central defenders, it is about the team, their shape and how they defend without the ball.

“I would say if one full-back is pushing on, the other should hold back and provide cover but when you have two attacking, you need more than the holding midfielder there.

“You need another midfield player to be covering the spine of the team.

“It is great that the full-backs are getting forward and scoring goals but you always run the risk of conceding.

“That is where the two central defenders and the holding midfielder need to be really solid.

“The priority for the defence has to be to keep a clean sheet. That is what they are paid for.”

There may still be questions being asked over how solid and reliable Rangers are at the back, and how they will fare should they face Premiership opposition again this season, but any weakness is unlikely to prove costly in the coming months.

Warburton’s side will host Falkirk this weekend aiming to extend their league winning streak to nine matches and open up a twelve point advantage in the Championship standings.

Glasgow Times: Rangers manager Mark Warburton alongside assistant Davie Weir

The chasing pack have a considerable task on their hands to reel Rangers in and prevent them from strolling to title success at the second time of asking.

And nine-in-a-row legend Brown reckons it is mission impossible as Warburton’s side look to clinch the crown sooner rather than later.

Bomber said: “I said after the early games to a few people that I fancied Rangers to win the league comfortably, by 20 plus points.

“They will win the majority of their games because the style they play is too much for the majority of teams in the Championship.

“In the winter months, you might see a difference. But the way the manager has got them playing, they are going to win a lot of games this season and other teams will struggle to catch them. Round about February, they could be winning the league.”