Rangers playmaker Ianis Hagi was once again the hero for the title favourites as they squeezed past St Johnstone - and a telling stat now underlines his Ibrox importance.
The Romanian is often the man Steven Gerrard now turns to when he needs to unlock a tight defence.
Despite a slow start to the season the son of footballing icon Gheorghe is one of the league leaders' key men, and he proved that again when taking on the Saints.
With the Ibrox attack unable to shift Callum Davidson's steadfast rearguard, Hagi picked the ball up on the right before going the long way round as he cut inside and shifted the ball towards the left.
His strike from the edge of the area flew past an unsighted Zander Clark, who likely saw the ball late as it edged past a mound of bodies in the penalty area.
That crucial goal, the only strike of a 1-0 home win, was Hagi's 10th goal involvement in his last 10 league starts.
He is now fast becoming Rangers ' Mr Reliable when it comes to creating or finishing chances.
Hagi's four goals in the league this season have all come in that stretch of games when starting a match, while he has also picked up six assists in that time as well.
A vital goal in the home win over Hibs earlier in the season, also a 1-0 victory, underlined his importance further.
Gerrard recently said: "We’re really happy with Ianis Hagi, he’s a joy to work with.
"He’s a student of the game. He’s always looking at areas to improve, whether that be from a physical point of view or tactically or technically.
"He’s someone you have to drag off the training ground. Ianis is always in the analyst department too. He’s never out of the gym, so he’s an absolute dream to work with, very low maintenance.
“We’re delighted with how he is developing and progressing and we’re happy to have him.
“But Ianis is one we are supporting and trying to push in all different kinds of areas, to keep him evolving and growing.
“We still think there is more to come from him, and that’s the exciting part. But he has really delivered in terms of his contribution recently."
