ALLY McCoist believes Rangers striker Jon Daly is as good as Ibrox legends Mark Hateley or Derek Johnstone in the air.

Daly scored his 11th header of the season in the 3-0 victory over SPFL League One rivals Ayr United at the weekend.

That effort took the big Irishman's tally for the 2013/14 campaign to 18 in all competitions.

The 30-year-old, who joined the Gers from Dundee United on a free transfer during the summer, has struck up a formidable partnership with Nicky Clark.

His manager reckons his aerial ability is up there with anyone he has ever seen at the Glasgow giants.

And the all-time record Rangers goalscorer was paired up front alongside both Hateley and Johnstone in his 15 year spell at the Govan club as a player.

McCoist said: "Jon is doing great and even in the games where centre-halves are combatting him and holding their own.

"He's one of these strikers who always gets a chance.

"You can't take your eye off him for one second, you really can't, and that has proven to be the case a lot recently.

"We're just thrilled with him at the moment and he's certainly as good a header of the ball as I've seen in a long time."

Speaking on the official Rangers website, he added: "He's as good as good as anyone I played with at that.

"And I played next to big Derek Johnstone and Mark Hateley. They were two of the best.

"Big Jon is definitely up there.

"He's a really powerful header of the ball and clever with his direction of headers.

"He's doing really well and long may that continue."