NICKY Clark today hit back at those who have criticised Rangers after they failed to beat part-time minnows Albion Rovers.

The Gers received serious flak from their own fans after scraping a draw with Rovers at home eight days ago.

But striker Clark, who returned to action last week after a lengthy spell injured, reckons the abuse has been over the top.

The 22-year-old hit-man is set to feature for Rangers in their Scottish Cup quarter-final replay with Rovers at New Douglas Park tonight.

If he can help them win in Hamilton they will be up against top-flight high-flyers Dundee United at Ibrox in next month's semi-final.

Clark said: "Last Sunday we never really got going. We want to make amends for that by going through at this time of asking. We know that people are going to criticise us if we don't get the results. It is part of playing at a major club like Rangers.

"But we are hoping to do well in the replay. It's a huge game for us and we want to get to the semi-final for the fans who have been great with us. But we just need to take it as another game.

"I actually think we've done great this season; we're unbeaten in the league, have scored a lot of goals and have not conceded too many.

"I think people do forget that. They just expect us to go and batter teams every week. But that doesn't happen because teams up their games against us."

The former Queen of the South player added: "We've won the league and the earliest any team has in a long, long time. We've scored loads of goals and got into the final of the Ramsdens Cup. But to reach the Scottish Cup final would be a great accomplishment."