The departure of Mark Warburton from Rangers may have been dramatic and may have transpired in a manner many fans found unenjoyable but it does present them with hope for the future.

The Ibrox side are in a position now to make much-needed changes and push on in their attempts to be competitive with ancient rivals Celtic at the pinnacle of Scottish football. It's been a tough journey through the divisions to make it back to where they are but now they must put it all behind them and take vital positive steps forward.

The gap they need to close to challenge Celtic is nothing short of massive given the strides Brendan Rodgers has taken this season with Rangers' city rivals, who are a staggering 27 points clear. How do they find a way to compete?

Here are FIVE tips for the club that we reckon will help massively with that task...

No 'big name' signings

Much hyped so-called 'big name' signings rarely work out and that was never more obvious than this season when the club splashed out to sign Joey Barton last summer. Likely on a bigger wage than most players at Ibrox, the former Newcastle and Manchester City midfielder arrived with much fanfare and much expectation.

The truth is he was pretty garbage in a Rangers shirt and left understanding that Scottish football isn't quite as bad as is made out south of the border.

It was a lesson learned for the Ibrox side who have also seen the signing of Niko Krancjar not work out; they signed the veteran midfielder despite warning signs about his injury record and he was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the season after playing just 9 league matches.

What's needed at Ibrox is a more sensible and reasoned recruitment policy. Players with big reputations are all well and good but there's plenty of talent around that can do a consistent job. It's all about building a cohesive team, not a squad of individuals - that's the only way they're going to be able to compete next season.

Less loan signings

There have been a massive eleven loan signings over the last three seasons at Rangers and it's been a policy with ups and downs. Gedion Zelalem proved to be a great performer last season but even when loan signings turn out well, the idea has its drawbacks.

There's no long-term planning when two or three of your top performers in any given season head back to their parent clubs the next year.

Loan signings should be used as cover or to rotate the side, not be a staple of your first team. Patrick Roberts has enjoyed his time at Celtic but he's never been a player that gets a consistent start in the team, making almost as many substitute appearances as starts - he's used to compliment the squad that's there.

Rangers need to focus on bringing in players that can develop at the club over the next three or four years and become proper 'Gers players in their own right.

Take time to make the right appointment

There's no rush to make a hasty appointment at Ibrox in the wake of Warburton's departure. The club will likely be competitive in the race for second regardless of whether their next appointment is made with a view for the next few years or the next six months.

The next permanent appointment at the club is the most important for years. We've seen over the city what impact bringing in a genuine leader can do to a club's fortunes and the 'Gers need a similarly inspiring figure to come in and take the club forward.

If that means waiting until the summer and appointing an interim or caretaker manager then so be it. More than any player signing, it'll be the difference between being competitive and standing still.

Keep Barrie McKay

Signings are needed at Rangers, make no mistake about it, but the number one priority over the next few transfer windows will be keeping hold of Barrie McKay. The Scotland international has been a ray of light for 'Gers fans in a season of mediocrity and is beginning to attract attention beyond Scottish football's borders.

He offers a cutting edge in the final third that Rangers lack elsewhere and if he continues to develop on the current trajectory and with the right guidance, then he could become a very decent player for the club in years to come.

With quality at a premium in Scottish football, retaining talent is as important as attracting it.

Patience

Perhaps the number one thing Rangers fans need to be aware of is that there's no quick fix. It's unlikely that there's going to be an immediate title challenge next season when a new manager comes in. It's possible, but still unlikely.

It's all about small steps, forward progress bit by bit, realistic aims and ambitions. It was always a tough ask to come up from the Championship and challenge for major honours right away and that pressure to succeed played a role in Warburton's downfall.

He definitely wasn't taking the club in the right direction, there's no excuse for some of the results this season and inconsistent away form but some realism is needed too.

If the club can take positive steps and effect gradual change there's little doubt the Ibrox side will be winning big trophies again one day. It doesn't happen overnight and breathing room must be given to the new manager to allow him to achieve his goals.