THE feelgood factor of 55 still is still evident around Auchenhowie and within the hearts and minds of Rangers supporters.

It is a power that can be harnessed and used in the pursuit of a success that would be historic in its own right and one which Malky Thomson has his sights set firmly on.

The months since the Rangers Women's side last took to the field have been long for Thomson and his squad.

They have watched on with pride, however, and taken inspiration from the achievements of Steven Gerrard, his staff and his players.

Glasgow Times: Rangers manager Steven Gerrard celebrates with fans outside the ground after winning the Scottish Premiership match at Ibrox

Rangers return to action in the SWPL against Hearts on Sunday aiming to pick up where they left off after a 5-0 win over Glasgow City back in December that leaves them top of the table. That is where they will restart, and where they want to finish.

"That feelgood factor has been there since the manager has been in and through the seasons that he has been in, not just now," Thomson said.

"Obviously winning the league has been absolutely fantastic but that feelgood factor has always been there and it is evidence of all the hard work and planning and preparation that they have put in. It is attention to detail and working with players and it is goes to show why they have won the league in the style that they have done.

"Always as a coach at Rangers Football Club, there is a wealth of talent here and talented people, whether they are off the field or on the field. That knowledge bank that we have got here, we are always learning from each other.

"It is a one club value that we have got here, there is nobody that does any job any better or any more special than anybody else. We have all got our roles to play and I think it is just about coming together and adding value to what we do.

Glasgow Times: Steven Gerrard

"That is the culture of Rangers Football Club and the values that the club has – the club is steeped in historical values from way, way back.

"We could rhyme off a list of managers, none more so than Steven Gerrard who is in place just now. We have had top players. We have had Advocaat and Walter Smith.

"I could go on and on. All that tradition that the club has got is what we are about."

It has been a unique campaign in many ways this season but the achievements of Gerrard's side have ensured that it will always be a memorable one as fans savour their first league title in a decade.

Glasgow Times: Rangers fans celebrate outside of the Ibrox Stadium after Rangers win the Scottish Premiership title. Picture date: Sunday March 7, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Rangers. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire.

A support that has been characterised by their loyalty has engaged with the club like never before as 55 has been won.

Now there is an opportunity for the Women's side to tap into that passion for Rangers as they bid for their first league crown.

Thomson said: "Those values came from a lot of research and we spoke to a lot of fans and whether you are male or female, if you have got a Rangers badge on and that blue jersey on, the fans are fantastic and they will support us.

"It is getting that visibility out there and the fans know that this is our first season and it is great that we are full-time. It is making them aware that we are here, that we have got a style of play similar to the first team and that our ambitions are the same as the first team. We want to win.

Glasgow Times: Rangers fans are celebrating the club's Scottish Premiership title triumph

"It is great for the future of the club and great for society as a whole that you can be a Rangers fan, be it male or female, and you can support the males or the females. We know that we have had a lot of good feedback and when this round of games kicks off, we are going to get a big following.

"Especially given the fact that the manager and the first team have won the league and 55, so there is a real buzz about it and a real interest about it.

"It is going to intrigue a lot of people and we need the fans and the support, the girls need that reassurance that we are one club and we are behind each other and we will endeavour to try and win leagues and titles and get to Champions League and put Rangers where it should be."

It would be the fairytale story for Thomson and his players if the Women's side could lift the league title in the same season that Gerrard guided Rangers to a triumph that has been so long in the making.

The investment the Ibrox board have made in the Women's infrastructure is designed to deliver silverware.

It has been a season of uncertainty and frustration but it could yet be one of glory as Rangers look to hit the ground running on Sunday.

Thomson said: "It has been great, first and foremost, to get back. It has been a long time.

"It has been a stop start season and hopefully, touch wood, we will get the remainder of the season played now. It has obviously been quite difficult for everybody individually and collectively as a team but we are just delighted to be back and really appreciative to be back.

"I know there are a lot of people out there who have been suffering with Covid and the pandemic, so for us to come back in the state we have come back has been good.

"It is just an engagement in football. We have only really missed the pitch sessions as such. All the rest of the planning and preparation that goes on behind the scenes, there has been nothing changed in that fact.

"We have been busy doing our usual stuff around can we design sessions better? Can we look at players individually to improve them? And can we have all that planning and preparation ready and good to go when we got the green light?"