Rangers defender Steven Whittaker believes his side's never-say-die attitude was the key to their hard-fought SPL victory over Inverness.It took until the 89th minute for the league leaders to break the deadlock in a disappointing contest when substitute Jean-Claude Darcheville latched on to a high, hopeful ball forward from Whittaker and calmly volleyed past Caley goalkeeper Michael Fraser.

Rangers were poor during the first half, but slowly improved as the game progressed and Whittaker thinks that was down to the strength of character shown by the Ibrox club.

He said: "Since you were young, you always get told to play to the end and we are no different.

"It is important that if the game is still there to be grasped that you are determined to go on and win the points."

The victory left Rangers four points clear of Celtic in the race for the championship and Whittaker will now endeavour to help them maintain that healthy advantage in the coming weeks.

He said: "I think any cushion that you can have at the top of the league is tremendous and if we can keep it at four points for as long as possible, or stretch it even further, then that is what we aim to do."

Whittaker came closest to opening the scoring during a dull opening period, only to be denied by a strong block from Fraser at his near post.

Allan McGregor produced an even better save than his opposite number to parry a powerful 30-yard-drive from Marius Niculae midway through the second half, just before Rangers thought they had taken the lead.

Charlie Adam cut inside Russell Duncan and curled a low shot past Fraser, only for the goal to be ruled out, with Daniel Cousin adjudged to be standing in an offside position.

Adam then struck the crossbar before Darcheville pounced in dramatic fashion late on and Whittaker hopes the Frenchman can go on to increase his goal tally in the near future.

"He is the type of player that can create something from nothing and when he gets the ball you hope he is going to do that," said the defender.

"He has a good football brain, he can finish and turn left or right, so I think defenders won't like playing against him and hopefully his good form will continue for us."

Inverness blew a great chance to get back on level terms in injury-time when Ross Tokely blasted over from close range.

But although Caley Thistle were defeated in cruel circumstances, Fraser insists he and his team-mates can take heart from their performance.

He said: "We played okay and it wasn't the most exiting game but I thought we kept Rangers better players quiet so we can take positives from it."

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