Even for a man whose reserves of self-confidence appear to run deeper than an ocean, there must have been moments these past few days when Russell Martin privately wondered if he’d already reached the point of no return.
While a share of the spoils against Celtic won’t yet see rose petals cast in the path of the embattled Rangers manager, there was just enough on show from his side to spare him the indignity of being shown the door as the first international break comes into view.
He may be clinging on to the iceberg after a calamitous start in the role, but he hasn’t yet bubbled under.
For all the talk of disharmony behind the scenes, those players he did select against Celtic are evidently still in his corner.
While neither Andrew Cavenagh or Paraag Marathe will have been exactly bowled over by what they witnessed across a brutal afternoon, they certainly could not have faulted Martin’s charges for commitment.
Four points from as many Premiership games is a dismal return. But the hierarchy’s fervent hope will be that the spark which has so clearly been lacking belatedly appears when hostilities resume.
On a day which won’t live long in the memory, Martin was grateful for small mercies.
After a truly horrific night in Brugge, when the team conceded six and could have shipped any number, there was a real fear among Rangers fans that their team would be mentally shot to pieces. That wasn’t the case.
Yes, there was a stark lack of punch in the final third - Rangers didn’t have a single shot on target in the entire match - but Martin’s side didn’t look as mentally weak, rudderless and vulnerable as they’d often done in the early stages of this campaign.
Thelo Aasgaard didn’t stray from Callum McGregor’s shadow. Connor Barron careered about the field in a blur, making blocks and interceptions. Mohamed Diomande reminded us that there’s still a player in there.
It was a long way from being easy on the eye. But the tenacious approach of Martin’s central unit made life extremely difficult for Celtic. They provided the platform which ensured Celtic’s winless run against their city rivals extended to four matches.
Despite no sign of the gilt-edged chance he’d have dreamed about falling his way, Bojan Miovski showed enough in his movement to suggest he can put a forgettable move to Girona behind him.
The Macedonian was a superb player for Aberdeen. With the right supply, he’s capable of having the same impact in a Rangers jersey.
It remains to be seen if Celtic address their own glaring inadequacies in the final third before the transfer window closes on Monday night.
Adam Idah seems to have spent the past 48 hours dashing between Glasgow and Swansea, with no one - including, it seems, Brendan Rodgers - quite sure what’s going on.
For a club of Celtic’s stature to be in such a state of confusion ahead of the first derby of the season didn’t say much for their recruitment strategy. If, indeed, there really is such a thing.
Rodgers’ side were defensively resolute but ponderous and predictable whenever they threatened to enter the final third of the field. It was the inevitable consequence of selling key assets like Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn without having replacements waiting in the the wings.
The Celtic manager understandably cut a frustrated figure at full-time. Had he been given the players he so clearly requires earlier this summer, Rangers were there for the taking.
The visitors just didn’t have the wit or the quality in the attacking areas to claim the victory which would have seen them move nine points ahead at this early stage. While those clad in green and white will never consider a point taken at Ibrox as a bad day’s work, it still felt like an opportunity lost.
Barring a meeting in the League Cup, the sides won’t eyeball each other again until Celtic Park on January 3.
In Martin’s fragile world, that must feel like an age away. But, given how things have been going for him of late, the fact he isn’t clearing his desk in the morning must feel like a minuscule step in the right direction.