MARK WARBURTON is confident striker Martyn Waghorn is on course for a Scottish Cup final berth after making his return to action against St Mirren on Sunday.

Rangers rounded off their Championship campaign with a 2-2 draw against the Buddies as they extended their winless league run to four matches.

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But the performance of Waghorn was one of the main positives for boss Warburton as the 26-year-old was handed a start after several weeks out of action with a knee injury.

Rangers now have a three week build-up to their final showdown with Hibernian and Waghorn will be given another run-out in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Tottenham Hotspur.

He showed no ill-effects of his time on the side lines as he twice came close to scoring during his hour on the park and Warburton was pleased with a positive showing from his star striker.

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He said: “It is all credit to him and the physios for the work that has been done. He has come back, is fit, hungry, sharp and you can see that he want to play.

“We are delighted to get an hour of him, he will play 75 minutes in the next game, and will be ready for the final.

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“He has a chance of starting. He has worked hard and looked really fit. He looked as if he hadn’t been away. There was no rustiness to speak of on a difficult surface and I thought he was very good.

“So as I said he will play 75 minutes in the next game. He has made a good case for selection.”

Rangers will head into the final on May 21 without a win in four games after they were held by the Buddies at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

Former Ibrox kid Calum Gallagher put Alex Rae’s side ahead in the first half but goals from Kenny Miller and Jason Holt had looked to have clinched the points for the Light Blues.

Rangers were denied at the death as Lewis Morgan levelled with just seconds to go but Warburton was satisfied with an improved showing from his side.

He said: “I was delighted with the second-half. The pitch was dry and difficult for both teams, but they were brave on the ball, had runners, created chances and hit the woodwork.

“We have to look at the equaliser but that’s game two of or lead-up to the final.

“It was a second half, it’s just a shame the 92nd equaliser dampened things a bit.

“That was the reaction I wanted after the Livingston game. We had lots of good things. We were really good in the second-half.”

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It may have been a disappointing end to the campaign as Rangers let another two points slip through their grasps but there were reasons to be optimistic for Warburton.

Striker Miller netted his 20th goal of an impressive season as he pulled the Gers level early in the second half and Warburton is thrilled with the contribution of the 36-year-old.

He said: “Kenny himself would have been delighted with 20 goals, I would have been more than delighted with that figure. It is credit to the way he works every day.

“The way he eats, trains, rehydrates himself. The work he does every day is a great credit to him.

“He is a superb professional, a great role model to the young players. There is no doubt about that. It is not by chance he has scored 20 goals.”

Rangers will now focus their attentions on Scottish Cup glory as they look to clinch a third medal this term after their Championship and Petrofac Training Cup successes.

Everton are the latest club to be linked with a move for boss Warburton but the Englishman has once again brushed off speculation about his future.

Warburton said: “Who is it this time? I can’t stop that. The only time you get linked to big clubs is when the players are doing well.

“It’s as simple as that. If you lose 12 on the spin you won’t be linked with any jobs.”