'Recent performances highlight lack of cutting edge & defensive improvements'

I was hoping for two positive results last week, and we certainly got that.

The 2-0 win over Malmo could have been five or six, and although the 1-0 win over Hibs was something of a grind, the most important thing is the result.

The two main talking points that arose from those matches was a lack of cutting edge and the visible defensive improvements. Jack Butland has been reaching somewhere near the levels of last season and the back four have been relatively solid since the defeat at Parkhead.

That's four clean sheets in five games and there seems to be a growing understanding between the two centre-backs John Souttar and Robin Propper.

As regards the lack of clinical finishing, Hamza Igamane is a young lad who will get better with more experience and game time, while Cyriel Dessers will definitely score goals but in the big moments he often flops. Then you need more from the likes of Vaclav Cerny, Ross McCausland, Rabbi Matondo and Oscar Cortes - when they are fit.

Tom Lawrence is playing well and Nedim Barjami has made a positive impact on the team. Still, we need a more reliable first-choice striker and a better variety of wide forwards in the January window.

Thursday will be a massive test to see how much the team has improved post-Celtic. Malmo was a great result but Lyon will be a different level. But as a fan these European nights at Ibrox are the ones you look forward to the most.