First impressions count. Especially when a new manager arrives in the middle of a season with an urgent need to hit the ground running.
In that respect, Giovanni van Bronckhorst couldn't have asked for much more from his opening week as Rangers manager. Two wins, Europa League progress secured and a Premiership lead maintained.
Challenges keep on coming at an intense rate, but Van Bronckhorst has cleared the initial hurdles with impressive assurance. Gaining a measure of revenge against Hibernian on Tuesday night is his next task.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst couldn't have asked for more from his first week as Rangers boss
He will have learned a lot already. And, I'm sure, decided there are a lot more positives than negatives within this squad.
If the focus and — as much debated recently — the hunger remain present, then the quality is certainly there. Against both Sparta Prague and Livingston, Van Bronckhorst got the answers he was looking for.
In saying that, it's not been perfect. Defensively, Rangers can still cause concern. That has been a season-long issue, but Van Bronckhorst got his first, real close-up look at it through Livingston's goal on Sunday. Connor Goldson misread a long ball forward and it led to an unnecessary concession.
I don't think there is any doubt centre-back would be a priority area if Van Bronckhorst has scope to make additions in January. He's tight for options there through injuries in any case, but the whole scenario surrounding Goldson adds another complication to the picture.
But the whole scenario surrounding Connor Goldson adds another complication to the picture
We're only a matter of weeks away from the former Brighton defender being able to speak to other clubs. His form has not been great. There is noise around everything he does.
I've been there in my own career so I can understand some of his situation. Right now, it's not one that's really benefiting either the player or the club.
When you're coming to the end of a long-term contract, as happened with me at Rangers in 1998, you are suddenly faced with uncertainty. I don't know whether Goldson wants to leave, or whether he wants to stay and the club are unwilling to meet his demands. Whatever the case, it's awkward.
Clearly, it's in Goldson's interest to play as well as he can, even if he is not going to be at Rangers. That's just simple logic in terms of attracting offers.
The problem comes if your performances take a dip. And Goldson, for whatever reason, hasn't been playing nearly as well as he did last season.
One factor might be the injury to Filip Helander that has broken up their successful partnership, but every time he makes a mistake people jump on it to say it's because he is about to leave or his head has been turned or it's all about money.
Right now, Goldson's situation is not one that's really benefiting either the player or
