It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Philippe Clement has made use of his favourite cliche so often, the words are in danger of being worn out like a pair of old running gutties.
Time and time again, it’s the phrase the Rangers boss has reached for in a bid to bat away uncomfortable questions about the state of his side’s title race with Celtic, to dampen down rising expectations and ensure his players’ concentration levels remain laser-focused on the next job in hand.
The trouble for those of us posing those bothersome enquiries, however, is that we’re likely to continue being faced with the same familiar response if Clement’s pacesetters carry on striding forward as they are.
The Light Blues might be turning for home as they prepare to enter the Premiership’s final straight. With a nine-game dash to the winning line, it’s Rangers with their necks in front by a slender two-point margin.