Rangers are now playing as a “collective”, not as “islands”, says manager Philippe Clement after his side moved top of the Scottish Premiership.
Sunday’s 3-0 victory over St Johnstone in Perth opened up a two-point gap over defending champions Celtic.
Mohamed Diomande struck Rangers’ first and James Tavernier converted two VAR-awarded penalties.
“They know it’s still a long way to go. They feel really good. This season is a long marathon,” Clement said.
“We have three competitions still to play for. They also feel it’s a big difference now compared with the beginning of the season, where it was much more islands and not a collective together; that this is a much better world to live in for them.”
Having been seven points behind after losing to Aberdeen in September in what proved to be Michael Beale’s last game in charge, the Ibrox side have erred little since under the Belgian.
However, with 12 league games to play each, the situation at the top is still very tight with Rangers having scored two fewer goals than Celtic while conceding five fewer.
Craig Levein’s Saints remain 10th, five points above Ross County and eight in front of Livingston.
The opening 36 minutes came and went without so much as a significant attempt, never mind one on target.
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But, when such an effort arrived, it was impressive as Diomande took one touch to control Ryan McGowan’s clearance and struck fiercely past Dimitar Mitov.
It was the midfielder’s first goal since joining Rangers on loan from Nordsjaelland last month, with a permanent move to be completed in the summer.
Rangers’ confidence was growing, as was their territorial advantage. Todd Cantwell flicked an effort wide and St Johnstone had to scramble clear a couple of dangerous moments to get to the break one down.
Fabio Silva almost put the game beyond Saints early in the second half as his snapshot brought out the best in Mitov.
St Johnstone knew they needed to change the pattern of the game to avoid defeat and Tavernier’s aerial challenge on Connor Smith provoked home hopes of a penalty, quickly dashed by referee Matthew MacDermid.
Dujon Sterling, on for Scott Wright at half-time, missed a big chance to double Rangers’ lead when he glanced a header wide from Cantwell’s cross.
It was one of Cantwell’s last contributions as he made way for Tom Lawrence and strapped ice to his leg on the bench.
St Johnstone almost found themselves level when John Lundstram’s defensive header at a free-kick flicked just over.
However, the game began to get away from the hosts after Sterling went down following Andy Considine’s sliding challenge.
Referee MacDermid was initially unmoved, but VAR intervened and the referee decided a spot-kick should be awarded. Tavernier’s finish to the goalkeeper’s left was emphatic.
Cyriel Dessers took over from Silva and almost got round Mitov to net a third for Rangers but slightly overran it and allowed Liam Gordon to usher the ball out.
Dessers then hit the crossbar in the build-up to Rangers second penalty, ultimately awarded for a hand ball against Luke Robinson following Lawrence’s shot.
And, with Tavernier’s second conversion, Rangers knew they would be returning to Glasgow with victory.