Rangers returned to winning ways against St Johnstone on Wednesday night - but there more relief than rejoicing when the final whistle sounded at McDiarmid Park.
Glen Kamara 's third minute goal appeared to set the tone for the Premiership champions to roar back to form but what followed was a turgid affair on an, admittedly, terrible pitch.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst 's side got the job done to remain in touch with leaders Celtic but fans were less than thrilled with an unconvincing performance.
As Rangers toiled to find their rhythm, it was widely noted that the manager decided not to turn to his bench even once.
It followed similar observations at the weekend when only Fashion Sakala was given the nod to try and salvage three points against Motherwell.
It's led to supporters and pundits, including Kris Boyd, questioning why Van Bronckhorst has been reluctant to make in-game changes, especially now managers are permitted five subs.
But is the Ibrox boss really that reluctant to freshen things up?
Record Sport Online looks at how the Dutchman has utilised his bench in comparison to other managers in the top six since his first outing on November 28.
Premiership top six, total subs and subs per-game
Rangers
3, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 5, 3, 2, 1, 0
40 subs in 16 games, average 2.5 per-game.
Celtic
3, 3, 3, 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 4, 3, 1, 5
49 subs in 15 games, average 3.3 per-game.
Hearts
3, 2, 3, 2, 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 4, 5, 3, 3, 5, 3
52 subs in 15 games, average 3.5 per-game.
Hibernian
3, 2, 3, 3, 2, 3, 3, 3, 5, 4, 5, 4, 5, 4, 4, 3, 2
58 subs in 17 games, average 3.4 per-game.
Dundee United
1, 3, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 3, 4, 3, 4, 3, 2, 3, 4,
45 subs in 15 games, average 3 per-game.
Livingston
3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 2, 3, 3, 3, 5, 3,
52 subs in 16 games, average 3.25 per-game.
What does it mean?
At face value, it confirms Rangers' fans observation that Van Bronckhorst is not turning to his bench as regularly as other managers in the division.
Rangers have made the fewest subs of any team in the top six since he arrived with an average of just 2.5 per game.
When the five sub rule was retained, there were suggestions it would benefit the likes of Celtic and Rangers the most, given their respective depth of squad in comparison to the rest of the Premiership.
But the only time Van Bronckhorst has utilised the full quota was when his team were already 5-0 up against Hearts.
They've made only six changes from a possible 20 in the last four matches, dropping four points in the process.
Wednesday night's slog at McDiarmid looked like the perfect opportunity to introduce some freshness but Van Bronckhorst decided against any subs at all, insisting they weren't needed.
He said: "Sometimes you change to turn things around or to change something but I didn’t feel like we needed a change.
"I was so focused on the game to get the win after 90 minutes so I didn’t think about any changes."
It feels as though most of those who stuck out a taxing hour-and-a-half feel differently.
True, Rangers got the required result and St Johnstone never looked like equalising but the champions rarely threatened to put the game out of sight, either.
Only Van Bronckhorst will know why but his explanation did little to quell claims he does not trust the players in reserve to deliver what he wants.
But there's a clear risk in resisting changes given how packed Rangers schedule is and has been for the majority of the season.
Players will get tired. Based on last night's display, some already are.
But still the likes of Amad Diallo, Fashion Sakala, Kemar Roofe, Scott Wright, Borna Barisic and Alex Lowry remained sidelined.
It's not like the manager doesn't have options, which makes it all the more puzzling as to why he currently seems reluctant to use them.
It's hard to dismiss the idea Van Bronckhorst is unconvinced by more than a few.
