Rangers will go into cold storage just as they’re warming up under Giovanni van Bronckhorst after making it nine league wins on the trot - seven of them under the Dutchman.
Scott Wright and a sixth goal in eight games for Alfredo Morelos secured the points against St Mirren at Ibrox with the Buddies now winless in eleven.
It was one-way traffic as the 500 lucky home fans were served up a treat on an easy afternoon for the champions.
The victory restored the six-point lead at the top after it was cut with Celtic’s win earlier in the day and now the league will shut down before the title battle resumes next month.
The Light Blues took time to break down a stuffy Dundee United side at Ibrox the previous week but this time they got a welcome early breakthrough.
But the manner of the goal was maybe unlikely with winger Wright heading home the opener after 14 minutes.
Joe Aribo flicked on a corner and Wright got up well at the back post to nod in with Morelos on hand to make sure after it was clawed out but it was the former Aberdeen man’s goal.
James Tavernier was then close to a stunning second when his long range effort took a deflection off Ethan Erhahon that had Jak Alnwick scrambling across his goal and it went just wide.
The Light Blues doubled their lead before the half hour mark in thunderous style and there was no disputing it was Morelos’ goal this time.
Borna Barisic floated in a brilliant ball from the left which the Colombian powerfully headed towards goal.
Alnwick managed to push it away but only as far as Morelos who slammed in the rebound to leave his former Ibrox team-mate helpless.
Morelos was agonisingly close to a second before the break when he got on the end of Ryan Kent’s cross and he headed just wide.
Gers kept up the pressure after the restart and only the woodwork denied them a second goal just after the hour.
Aribo stretched the St Mirren defence and sent in a low cross from the right which Wright met but his drive came back off the post and Barisic’s shot was deflected over from the rebound, albeit no corner was given.
Here’s three talking points from Ibrox Stadium
Morelos motoring
Alfredo Morelos has been given a new lease of life under Van Bronckhorst and is like a new signing.
The Colombian has now netted six goals in the last eight games since the Dutchman arrived as he has responded to the challenge of a new man in charge.
Morelos was accused of not scoring enough in the early part of the season but also his general demeanour was scrutinised.
He looks like he’s enjoying his football and that is so important for the striker who is reaping the rewards of the new regime.
Morelos had scored seven goals from the start of the season until Steven Gerrard’s departure and is now just one short of that total in the two months since Van Bronckhorst took over.
Wright stuff
Van Bronckhorst heaped praise on Scott Wright after his contribution from the bench in the win over Dundee United.
And the winger was rewarded with a place in the starting XI for the visit of St Mirren and grabbed his chance with both hands.
Van Bronckhorst’s emphasis on the wide men means it’s the wingers who could benefit most from the Dutchman taking charge.
Former Aberdeen man Wright had found game-time limited but after netting his second goal has now equalled his tally for his entire season before Van Bronckhorst arrived and only the post denied him another.
Warming up ahead of cold storage
It’s no secret that Rangers wanted to continue playing until the scheduled winter break and it’s easy to see why.
They are in confident mood and would have fancied tough away trips to Pittodrie and Parkhead which have now been pushed back.
The break is coming at a bad time for the defending champions and they will now be hoping the shutdown doesn’t upset their rhythm.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst faces a challenge to ensure they can pick up where they let off when the action resumes.
