After three consecutive draws in their last three matches the Ibrox club got back to winning ways as they beat Queen on South 2-1 at Palmerston Park on Wednesday night.

Stevie Naismith continues to keep up his good run of form as he hit the opener on the 16th minute; Kris Boyd set him up with a low cross from the far right after receiving a clever ball from the Rangers half by teammate Pedro Mendes and Naismith fired the ball into the back of the net.

Steven Naismith taps home Rangers' opener. ©GettyImages

Rangers second came from substitute Nacho Nova who coolly slotted home his fierce curler on 79 minutes after being set up by Steven Davis who showed excellent vision by picking out the little Spaniard from the Rangers half once again. A late consolation goal from former Rangers kid Robert Harris in the final few seconds was too little too late although it was a fine strike from the Queens defender, one for the DVD collection for sure.

Back to winning ways at last for Rangers who have had a wee spell of stalemates in the SPL and in the Champions League. The one all draw away to VfB Stuttgart was a good result in the opening fixture of the competition, however domestic business must be taken care of to ensure automatic qualification to next years Champions League for Rangers to continue their progression amongst Europe’s elite. Not only is it imperative for the financial revenue it brings into the club, the fans want to see top class European mid-week action too.

Dropping points away to Motherwell and Kilmarnock at this early stage in the season may prove costly as we near the final run in come May. Rivals Celtic failed to take full advantage after the result against Motherwell that weekend as they drew one all at home to Dundee Utd. Celtic are now in pole position in the SPL as Rangers picked up a solitary point against Kilmarnock and rivals Celtic took the full points on offer that weekend at home to Hearts.

Walter Smith must ‘keep the heid’ amongst it all, easier said than done as he got sent to the stand in the match up against Kilmarnock last weekend but with three sending’s off in five matches; Kevin Thomson (Hearts), Majid Bougherra (Motherwell) and Pedro Mendes (Killie), the SPL Champions must self prescribe a course of self discipline in order to get back to winning ways in the SPL.

Walter Smith is sent to the stands during Rangers' draw with Kilmarnock. ©GettyImages

Recent results make this weekend’s home fixture against Aberdeen (26th Sept) even more crucial, a team that plays ‘four times a season’ according to former captain Richard Gough. No need to add fuel to the fire for this seasons opening Old Firm fixture either (4th of October at Ibrox) but if Rangers keep dropping points in the SPL maybe it might be time for a new firebrand of tactics from the management team, let’s just hope it’s an enthralling ‘flare’ of football rather than a firing red hot rocket.

For some reason the name Fernando Ricksen comes to mind, can’t think why though…answers on a postcard to the usual address.

Article Dated 24th Sept 2009.

*Its nice to get back the footballing way; I was away to Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, Ireland on BBC Radio Scotland business (and to sample my first ever pint of Guinness!) over the last week and a bit. The sleepy town of Lisdoonvarna in the West Coast of Ireland comes alive every autumn as it hosts Europe’s largest matching festival every year, namely the ‘Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival’.

As you can no doubt imagine it was ‘grand craic’ such a friendly bunch the Irish, just like us Scot’s so no wonder we get on so well. The documentary I was away making is called “When Love Comes to Town”, I follow the story of two Scottish singletons Morag and Jackie as they embark on their quest to find a mate through third generation traditional matchmaker Willie Daly at the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival.

There’s a picture gallery of events posted on line at the Radio Scotland website as well as an extra interview with Matchmaker Willie Dailey. You can listen again to “When Love Comes to Town” via the BBC Iplayer. Take a wee listen and post me your thoughts.