The win puts Rovers above Ipswich as well as Bolton and Everton, moving them out of the bottom three. They are now resting in a slightly more comfortable 15th place...
Goals Duff and Cole helped secure the three points and condemned Ipswich to their fourth straight defeat.
"I've always been confident we could get out of trouble. We have nine games left and know what we have to do," said Souness.
"Football is like life. The best thing is to be in charge of your own destiny.
"This was a big game for both teams and in the second half we lost our way a bit.
"But this is a quality league and I still think Ipswich will get out of trouble."
After their defeat, Ipswich boss George Burley said: "It was poor defending for the first goal from Duff. It shouldn't have happened.
"It's going to be a battle to stay in the Premiership. But the spirit's there and I thought that perhaps we deserved a point."