THE importance of this win will only be clear in the fullness of time. As Ibrox celebrated it, there was no denying how significant it felt for Rangers as their Premiership title dreams were salvaged.

A goal down to Paul Hanlon’s opener after 35 minutes, Steven Gerrard’s side were staring at a double-figure gap to Celtic. As it stands, the difference is still seven and Rangers can continue to cling to their game in hand over their Old Firm rivals.

George Edmundson started the recovery job just before the break and Ianis Hagi completed it with just minutes to spare. A night that could have ended so badly would culminate in a roar of celebration and sigh of relief.

Having lost to Hearts and drawn with Aberdeen in recent days, Rangers knew there was no margin for error anymore. They avoided another slip-up and ensured Celtic are still within sight as they perhaps answered some questions about their ability to handle the heat at the top of the table.

The theme of Gerrard’s post-match interview at the weekend was spark, or rather the lack of it from Rangers. It had been missing for some time and Rangers had to raise their levels here.

There was a gradual improvement overall but that X Factor was still missing for most of the first half. There wasn’t enough verve about Rangers’ play and chances once again proved hard to come by.

A low shot from Morelos after just three minutes raised hopes that a more impressive showing could be forthcoming but Rangers settled into a familiar rhythm. Another Morelos effort into the side netting was all they could muster before they fell behind.

Service to Morelos was almost non-existent at times as moves on the deck broke down in a sea of bodies and balls over the top were overhit, and somewhat pointless at times. Hagi showed flashes of his ability on the ball but couldn’t hurt Hibernian, while Ryan Kent struggled to have an impact on proceedings as Rangers toiled.

The Gers had been fairly untroubled – a Joe Newell strike that Allan McGregor blocked with his legs apart – in the first half an hour. They were soon behind, though.

A Scott Allan free-kick from the right was met by Christian Doidge and Steven Whittaker challenged McGregor in the air. When the ball dropped, Hanlon converted as Ibrox appealed for a foul and the away crowd celebrated the opener.

McGregor is usually one of the most vocal players on the park and isn’t slow in coming forward when he feels aggrieved. His lack of protestation was perhaps the clearest indication that there was no foul and that Rangers hadn’t been hard done by.

At that stage, it wasn’t stretching it much to say that the title was on the line and Rangers had less than an hour to salvage the situation. Morelos was denied by Ofir Marciano, while Scott Arfield should have at least hit the target after being set up by Joe Aribo.

When the goal arrived just seconds before the interval, it was Edmundson that was the unlikely hero. Hanlon failed to clear his lines and the ball dropped to the Englishman as he made a sweet connection and beat Marciano from ten yards.

Rangers had their goal and Ibrox had the lift it desperately needed. Gerrard’s team talk was still as important, though, as he sent his side out for a huge 45 minutes.

There was more urgency about Rangers after the break and the tempo that had been missing for much longer than a half here was back. There was still a profligacy, however, as the hour mark arrived without the scoreboard ticking over.

Hagi came close with a volley, Aribo was denied at the near post by Marciano after a neat flick and Arfield fired over. Aribo had two further chances - the first blocked by Paul McGinn and the second scooped high over the bar from close range – as Rangers kept Hibs pinned back and the pressure steadily built.

Ibrox groaned as another chance came and went as Morelos collected a Barisic cross and was denied by Marciano. From the resulting corner, Edmundson’s header, which looked to heading for the corner of the net, was cleared by Adam Jackson.

As Rangers continued to chase a goal, Hibernian had offered little, but their threat could not be dismissed.

Appeals for handball were waved away by referee Bobby Madden and Hibs survived a series of corners before Tavernier lashed an effort into the stand. Another chance was gone, and so were more crucial minutes.

Just as the hope was beginning to fade, Hagi came to the rescue. Arfield nodded the ball into the area and Connor Goldson flicked it on as Hagi drifted to the back post.

He had time to pick his spot and he did so superbly on the angle. The strike was perfectly placed and Rangers had the goal they had tried, tried and tried again for.

After five nervous minutes of stoppage time, they had their win too. It could be one of the most important they have earned all season.