Christmas might have arrived early at Malabar following Ireland Rangers? maiden win in top flight football over the weekend.

The struggling Premier Division outfit chalked up a long overdue first victory of the season at the expense of Devonshire Colts in the first round of the Friendship Trophy.

And while club president and interim coach Dwayne (Box) DeRosa admits life in the top tier is not a bed of roses, the former Southampton Rangers and Somerset Trojans full back believes Sunday?s win could be the start of bigger and better things to come for the Dockyard-based club.

DeRosa took over the reins nearly three weeks ago after former coach and Trojans team-mate Stevie Riley resigned.

Still buoyant over Sunday?s win, DeRosa told : ?It seems as though the entire mentality and attitude of the players has improved overnight, which is something we have been striving towards for awhile.

?The players are now more motivated and looking forward to playing the next match.?

Rangers intend to use the festive break to rest, recover from a few bumps and bruises and get in some extra practise sessions, DeRosa revealed.

?We have a few things we still need to work on, but Sunday?s win has definitely impacted the club in a positive manner. It?s unfortunate it wasn?t a league win but a victory is a victory and so we will take it,? he added.

?But we?ll be training because we need to improve on our fitness. Without fitness it?s almost impossible to achieve favourable results.?

In league play so far Rangers have been anything but impressive, losing eight straight, conceding 34 goals while scoring a dismal four to remain rooted at the bottom of the pile.

?We know we can compete . . . but I think the players need to improve on their commitment to the club, to training, to themselves and to each other,? said DeRosa.

?I believe this would be the first step, to get them heading in the right direction. But the overall vibe and atmosphere around the club has definitely improved.?

Mathematically Rangers still stand a chance of avoiding relegation. But in order to survive they will have to take most of the maximum of 18 points still up for grabs and hope their nearest rivals drop points.

?I?m pretty confident we can get a few results to go in our favour when the other teams play each other,? DeRosa smiled. ?The way I look at it, any of the top teams are capable of beating each other which in turn could work to our benefit.

?But we still have to put in the necessary work in order to help our own cause as opposed to having to rely upon others.

?This is a real cut throat league and there?s certainly no room for error. But hopefully the momentum from Sunday?s victory will spill over into the league because so far it has been a struggle and we only have a small pool of players to select from.?

Rangers failed to pick up any new additions over the off season while Riley came onboard as coach at the eleventh hour.

The West Enders have yet to find a replacement for Riley, leaving DeRosa to serve in a dual capacity at Malabar.

?We?re looking for a new coach, but of course it?s going to be difficult to find one during the middle of the season,? he noted. ?But this is all a part of the learning experience and I for one always knew this season would be tough for us.

?I know from my experiences as a player that you only get out what you put in playing in the top league. So hopefully we can continue to progress from Sunday?s win and the guys understand what they need to do. It?s not an easy road . . . but we will persevere.?