Super sub Scott Arfield came to the rescue for Rangers as he bagged a priceless winner against Livingston at Ibrox.
The champions struggled on a night when conditions were terrible and looked like they might spill another two points in the title race.
But Arfield popped up with an exquisite finish to settle the nerves and bag a massive three points.
It was a huge night for young Alex Lowry - a rare bright spark on a bleak night - who was handed his first start after his scoring debut from the bench in the Scottish Cup win over Stirling Albion.
And the youngster was full of confidence and the first to have an effort on target but his shot was comfortably held by Max Stryjek in the end.
Lowry was about the only bright spot in the opening stages with the game as bleak as the rotten night of weather in Glasgow.
There was a lack of urgency from the home side but they stepped it up and had a couple of chances midway through the first half.
It was no real surprise that Lowry was at the heart of it all as he took the responsibility on his young shoulders.
First of all he sent a teasing low ball across goal but there were no takers and then set up Scott Wright who was agonisingly close to the opener but Jack Fitzwater cleared off the line.
Fitzwater then had a glorious chance to make himself a hero at the other end but he headed straight at Allan McGregor from Odin Bailey’s corner and should have done better.
It was a real warning and nerves were starting to creep in and it wasn’t until late in the first half that Gers showed slick play.
Skipper James Tavernier raced down the right and picked out Fashion Sakala but the Zambian’s point blank effort was scrambled over the crossbar to safety by Livi.
Van Bronckhorst must have been tempted to change it at the break but decided to stick with his starters.
And Sakala was next to try his luck when he stung the palms of Stryjek from Tavernier’s cross.
The Rangers manager had seen enough as the clock struck the hour mark and made a double change.
Cedric Itten and James Sands - both totally ineffective - were hooked and Kemar Roofe and Arfield were thrown on.
But then Calvin Bassey almost headed past his own goalkeeper in a moment that summed up how the night was going for the home side.
Sakala flashed a cross-cum-shot across goal which nobody got on the end of and it went just wide.
As the clock ticked down, the nerves were increasing inside the stadium.
But finally the breakthrough arrived with 15 minutes left as one of Van Bronckhorst's substitutions paid off.
Borna Barisic stood a cross up and Arfield supplied a sublime finish as he rose to send a flick high over the keeper and into the net for what could be a huge goal in this title race.
Here’s three talking points from Ibrox Stadium:
January jolt needed
While they got the win, Rangers are lacking a spark and after the initial bounce from Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s arrival, they need to find something.
The Ibrox side are no strangers to returning after the winter break lacking intensity and there are shades of that.
It has to be said that a string of key men are out with Alfredo Morelos, Joe Aribo, Ryan Kent, Ianis Hagi, Scott Arfield, Kemar Roofe, Ryan Jack - who came on late in a welcome sight - and Steven Davis all missing from the starting XI.
And while some of those names will return, there still seems to be something missing from the Light Blues - as was the case in the draw against Aberdeen.
James Sands is the only arrival this month but the American international clearly needs time to adjust.
With £12 million banked from the sale of Nathan Patterson, Gers need to make quality signs who will raise the level of this side.
Lustrous Lowry
It was a big night for the teenager as he was handed his first start for the first team and Giovanni van Bronckhorst put his faith in the kid.
And it didn’t take long to see why the 18-year-old was trusted by his manager as he took it in his stride.
Lowry was the first to have a pop at goal with a shot on target which was comfortably saved in the end.
The Uddingston starlet was at the heart of all of the good play from Rangers on an otherwise struggling display.
The confidence and class is evident in the teenager and it looks like he has a bright future ahead of him but it shouldn’t be left to him to drag the team up.
Unlucky Lions
David Martindale's were swept aside on the opening game of the season here as they lost 3-0.
And then in Giovanni van Bronckhorst's first league game in charge the Lions went down again.
But they battled bravely here and looked good for a point - or even a first ever win at Ibrox had Jack Fitzwater done better with a glorious chance.
The west Lothian side are still seven points clear of second bottom but could have had a valuable point here.
