THERE is no better source of support in difficult times than having your family close at hand.

They circle the wagons around you, listen intently over countless cups of tea and provide the kind of unconditional backing required to get you back on your feet.

It is something Nicky Law, the Rangers midfielder, has surely grown to appreciate during this most testing of seasons.

His younger brother Josh, now operating at full-back at Motherwell, moved into his home on the outskirts of Glasgow recently and they have proved valuable sounding boards for each other as their respective teams have lurched from one damaging result to the other.

There is just one problem. With Motherwell currently 11th in the SPFL Premiership and Rangers lying third in the division below, the possibility exists that they may end up having to meet in the end-of-season play-offs.

Stuart McCall, now in charge at Ibrox and still appreciated at Fir Park as a result of his time there as manager, admits the thought of such a conclusion to the campaign makes him feel sick.

It has been discussed around the dinner table at chez Law, too, and it is causing some consternation at a time when both clubs' alarming inability to string any kind of form together is taking enough of an emotional toll.

"Nicky and I do bounce off each other and help each other through whatever experience it might be," said Josh. "It definitely helps when you have someone there you can relate to.

"My girlfriend and little one have moved back home to England until the end of the season, so I've moved in with Nicky and his girlfriend.

"We are talking every day - unless he fails to make me breakfast

"I've got a really good relationship with him.

"What will happen if we meet in the play-offs? He might lock me in my room or something, I don't know

"We have mentioned it to each other. It could happen, but I hope it won't. It would be a very strange one.

"I hope we can get ourselves out of it at Motherwell and not be involved in that play-off lottery."

Of course, it is Rangers' ambition just to make sure they get there. One win in nine matches has sparked fears they may end up being caught by Falkirk and Queen of the South. The team is regularly booed off the field by supporters who have simply had enough.

Players such as Law are under the type of scrutiny they have never experienced before and are unlikely to experience again.

The 26-year-old midfielder has been a real disappointment this season. He is honest enough to concede that he has struggled to cope with the strain of being under the microscope since arriving from Motherwell on a free transfer in the summer of 2013.

Josh hopes, however, that linking up again with McCall can help him rediscover whatever it was that made him such an accomplished performer in the Premier League for the Steelmen.

McCall taught Law some essential defensive discipline. He turned him from an attack-minded player used largely on the left into someone capable of influencing matches from the centre of the field. More importantly, he made him believe in himself.

"When you watch my brother at the minute, I think it's obvious that he is lacking a bit of confidence," said Josh. "I think that's human nature. He cares a lot about his football and about Rangers as well.

"He's maybe been a bit too honest at times and that has drawn him a little criticism, but he will be trying everything he can to get Rangers back to the top league.

"Stuart will be really trying to instil that confidence back into him and get him playing how he can. With the situation Rangers have had, I think all the players have suffered a little bit from the off-the-field stuff and the fans.

"He probably played his best football in his time at Motherwell. Stuart has got quite a relaxed nature, but, if he needs to tell you something, he will do so. He will be honest and up front.

"He told my brother he needed to be better defensively to play midfield when he first got hold of him. He taught him that and brought confidence out of him.

"I hope they can strike up a good relationship again for the benefit of Rangers.

"I wouldn't say Rangers have seen the best of Nicky. He has got quite a good goals record, but I think there is a lot more to come from him."

Nicky and Josh have much to prove in the coming months. The futures of two well-known, but financially stricken, clubs hang on their contributions.

"It's just as much pressure for each of us, really," conceded Josh. "They are different kinds of pressure, though."