WINNING games is one thing, but winning titles is what really matters for Rangers. Come the end of May, this Old Firm victory cannot be another false dawn.

That is what the previous wins against Celtic have ultimately been for Steven Gerrard. Great days, yes, but virtually meaningless when the medals were being handed out at Parkhead.

This time, it has to be different for Rangers and there is plenty to suggest that it could well be. Of the occasions where Gerrard has beaten Celtic, this was by far the most comfortable.

The gap to Neil Lennon’s side, who still have a game in hand, is now four points. There will be nobody at Ibrox getting ahead of themselves, and midfielder Ryan Jack knows Rangers must continue strive for improvement if they are to earn the success they desire.

“A lot of the players are the same,” Jack said after Connor Goldson netted in either half to earn a 2-0 win. “We have new additions who have added quality but the mentality at this club is just winning.

“Whoever is in front of you or trying to stop you, you need to keep the mentality of keeping trying to turn out results.

“Keep putting in performances. It doesn’t really matter how you win it’s about being able to look back at the end of the season.

“Yeah, it is a challenge for us [to kick-on now]. You always have a lot of big games at a big club like this and the immediate challenge is to go and back it up on Thursday night.

“European competition and then it’s every week, it doesn’t get any easier.

“You need to turn up and put in performances. We’ve started the season strong but we want to build on that.

“You always want to get better and improve. Last year we came up short. We can’t hide away from that.

“It’s a fact and this year the challenge is there again for us to forget that season, go again and go stronger. Hopefully we will do it.”

This was an afternoon where Jack had a smaller part to play than usual but his role in proceedings was still important as he stepped off the bench to help Rangers over the winning line.

Goldson was the hero for Gerrard’s side, but there were impressive performances all over the park, not least in midfield as Glen Kamara, in particular, Steven Davis and Scott Arfield produced accomplished showings in a commanding victory.

“I was disappointed not to play of course, same with everybody else on the bench,” Jack said.

“But it’s a team game and it’s how you channel that. You take the disappointment and when you get called upon to come onto the pitch you have to do your bit for the team.

“To a man I thought the full eleven was outstanding and then we had the boys coming off the bench to help.

“We have a strong squad. The midfield is always big in the game. You have always got to win the battle in the middle of the park.

“Celtic are very strong in there with international players but so are we. It was ways going to be an interesting battle in there but today we came out on top.”

This was an Old Firm game with a difference. In front of empty Parkhead stands, it was Rangers that rose to the unique occasion as they largely dominated the derby.

It was undoubtedly an off day for Lennon’s side, but that takes nothing away from Rangers as they stepped up when it mattered and won an historic Old Firm encounter.

“Obviously you can’t hide way from the fact the atmosphere is what makes the Old Firm games,” Jack said.

“The fans make the game even better and even more special. But it is what it is and as players now we just have to deal with whatever is thrown in front of us. We came here to get the job done and we did that.

“I wouldn’t say we were relaxed, no. In these games you have always got to be on edge, you have got to be up for it.

“Fans or no fans it was a massive three points for us today, a chance to put a marker down and thankfully we have done that.”