NOW RANGERS MUST MAKE DERBY WIN COUNT

JAMES TAVERNIER insists Rangers will learn lessons from last season’s title collapse as they aim to follow up their latest Parkhead triumph. Steven Gerrard’s side cruised to a 2-0 Old Firm win on Saturday, denying Celtic even a shot on target on their home ground. Rangers now have a four-point lead at the Premiership summit — having played a game more — but captain Tavernier has echoed Gerrard’s caution about the overall significance of the result. Last December, Rangers notched a 2-1 victory at Celtic Park to move within striking distance of the champions but dismal post-winter form left them 13 points adrift when the season was curtailed. Tavernier fully recognises that derby success on its own cannot deliver title glory and wants to see a consistent performance level maintained in the months ahead. ‘It is the start of the season,’ said the right back. ‘This game doesn’t decide things when it comes to May. ‘It is a good performance but it is the start of where we need to be. We just need to keep our heads down, work hard and focus on the next game that comes up. ‘I am delighted. We can enjoy it, and let the fans enjoy it, and then we will look forward to Thursday (away against Standard Liege in their opening Europa League group game). ‘As soon as Monday morning comes, we will be focused on Thursday and that is our aim. ‘We need to be consistent this year, we can’t afford to have any speedbumps in the way. We are learning our lessons from previous seasons.’ At Rangers since 2015, Tavernier endured some bleak derby days before Gerrard’s arrival as manager began to shift results. The 28-year-old stresses that he is more determined than ever to end a major trophy drought at Ibrox that stretches back to 2011. ‘It is a club with a rich history of trophies and winning and medals and that is what I want,’ added Tavernier. ‘Every player in the team wants to be a winner and celebrate at the end of the season. that is what we are aiming to do. Playing for Rangers, a massive club, is a massive honour and we want to do the club proud and the fans proud. We did that on Saturday, it is the start of something and now we have to knuckle down, work hard and take it game by game.’