Dan Neil among three Rangers players whose stock has risen this season

Rangers really turned the screw prior to the international break.

The Gers made a difficult start to life under Derek McInnes, including being knocked out of Europe altogether.

But Rangers' form picked up markedly before the first pause of the season, winning six straight games in all competitions.

That included back-to-back Old Fim victories over Celtic, one in the Scottish League Cup and one in the Scottish Premiership.

Rangers are consequently just two points adrift of Celtic at the top of the table, and itching for domestic football to return.

Here, Ibrox News picks out three Rangers players whose stock has risen in the early weeks of the season.

Olwethu Makhanya

Signed from MLS outfit Philadelphia Union for a mere £3million, Olwethu Makhanya has made a superb start to life at Rangers.

The South Africa international has been a dominant presence in the heart of a Rangers backline that is really showing signs of potential.

There is already talk of big interest across Europe, but Rangers will hope his five-year contract means they won't have to cave in to offers from elsewhere.

But already he looks like a signing-of-the-season candidate, and he was particularly outstanding in the 1-0 beating of Celtic at Parkhead immediately before the international break.

Hopefully there is still much to come in a Rangers shirt because his potential looks extremely high.

Dan Neil

Like Makhanya, Dan Neil arrived at Ibrox during an extremely hectic summer at Ibrox as 14 players arrived.

The free transfer from Sunderland initially struggled to assert himself at Rangers, perhaps understandably as McInnes sought to figure out his best XI.

But he has stepped it up in recent weeks, showing his leadership qualities on and off the pitch, while racking up an 83 per cent pass accuracy in the league.

The highlight was his double in the 3-0 win over Celtic at Ibrox as Rangers reached the League Cup semi-finals.

Neil could be a really important player for Rangers in terms of his leadership this season.

Dujon Sterling

Dujon Sterling's Rangers career has been frustratingly blighted by injuries at times.

But when fit he is arguably the best one-on-one defender in the Premiership, as proven by his excellent display versus Celtic last time out.

Having a settled position at right-back seems to have really helped Sterling, who has been consistently excellent this season.

If he stays hit, then McInnes has a real talent at right-back, and a settled defence feels crucial to Rangers' hopes of winning the title.