FORM is temporary but class is permanent. For Mark Hateley, there are no excuses when it comes to Rangers.

In the rare moments when the Englishman wasn't at his best, his effort could never be questioned and his endeavours would always pay off in the end.

Hateley won't judge others by the standards that he set or the mantras by which he lived and played during a career that saw him star for England and become a legend at Ibrox after spells with AC Milan and Monaco.

But he does expect those that now follow in his footsteps with the champions to live up to their own levels, to always aim to improve and never shirk the challenge or the responsibility that comes with the territory at Rangers.

Alfredo Morelos is a case in point right now. Everyone at Ibrox knows how good he can be, but only the striker can determine how often he hits the heights or puts in the graft to allow him to become the best version of himself.

Against Hibernian at Hampden on Sunday, Morelos cut a disinterested, disconsolate figure as Rangers slumped to an embarrassing defeat and cost themselves another chance of domestic silverware.

Just a couple of days later, the Colombian was rejuvenated as his two goals saw off Sparta Prague and ensured Giovanni van Bronckhorst achieved his first aim as manager by leading Rangers into the Europa League knockout rounds.

The two games showed the two sides of Morelos. Hateley knows which one Rangers need to see far more often this season.

Hateley said: "Where is Alfredo in his Rangers career? You better ask him that!

"Who knows, but he took his chances against Sparta Prague. The first goal was very good and that set him up for his performance.

"To get one inside 15 minutes is perfect for any striker as you are on your way. That's how it worked out for Alfredo and his start to the game allowed him to build.

"He did the right things, he got his goal and the advice I would give to him is keep focusing on that.

"Alfredo has brought the criticism on himself because of the standards he set last season.

"They raised the bar so high and everyone expects them to follow that. As a professional, you are actually expected to hit that bar again and then go over.

"The fans have seen how good he can be and they expect Morelos to go again.

"One of Giovanni's biggest tasks is to get Alfredo back to his best. But he needs to get the team back - not just him.

"Giovanni will be looking to get all the Rangers players hitting the standards they set last season."

The brace from Morelos on Thursday night was invaluable to Rangers as the Van Bronckhorst era got off to the perfect start and some of the damage from Hampden was repaired at the first attempt.

Former Netherlands striker Roy Makaay has been brought in by Van Bronckhorst to work with the Ibrox forwards and Morelos is competing with Kemar Roofe and Fashion Sakala for a starting berth at present.

Morelos made the most of his chance at Ibrox. He must now take as many more as possible to give Rangers the best hope of retaining their Premiership title.

"Kemar Roofe is a different player to Morelos," Hateley said. "He's a goalscorer but he can also play like a Ianis Hagi.

"He can drift around off Morelos. He has the ability to do that.

"Roofe is a smart player. He finds space and is hungry for goals.

"But it's difficult to get him in to the side when you are playing with just one striker.

"I don't want to judge anyone on my career because that would be hard to do, trust me! But yeah, you need to have a high standard.

"My standard was always high - I wanted to be the fittest and strongest I could be.

"Doing that constantly was always my way - but other people don't think like that.

"Alfredo, for me, is one of those players who has to be kept under a tight rein. By that I mean hold him close.

"But it's up to to the Rangers staff to do that. Can Roy Makaay do it? Good luck to Roy!"

With Rangers now off and running under Van Bronckhorst's guidance, the challenge for the champions is to build some momentum through a potentially defining series of league fixtures.

It is a run that begins away to Livingston this afternoon and the coming weeks offer Rangers a chance to prove their title mettle once again.

Hateley said: "It's another game for Rangers and the manager will have a different approach.

"Rangers showed against Sparta that he got a reaction after two days of working with them.

"He's had a few more days since and he will be learning a lot about his players and their attitude coming up to this sort of game.

"He will seek the advice of his senior players on what to expect, but that's what you do as a manager.

"You explore everything and the senior boys will help him. But the venue and the pitch shouldn't make any difference to Rangers.

"Good pros can deal with that. It never bothered me. All that matters is winning a game of football."

By the time Rangers leave Parkhead after the second Old Firm clash of the season in early January, their silverware ambitions could well be more defined and easily determined.

The transfer window will give Van Bronckhorst his first chance to shape the squad he has inherited from Steven Gerrard and Hateley reckons the opportunity to head to Ibrox will be an appealing proposition for players.

Hateley said: "Is it attractive to players? It's a platform.

"I came to Rangers when I was 28 and I had already been abroad and learned a lot.

"Things are different now, the club is different - but it's a platform for younger players.

"You get the chance to play in Europe and that is where you are judged.

"You aren't judged on Scottish games, it's when you go up against the best.

"I think Giovanni will explore the markets he knows. He would be daft if he didn't.

"He has connections and contacts and that's where you go."

*'Hitting The Mark' by Mark Hateley with Alistair Aird. Published by Reach Sport at £18.99.