RANGERS striker Nicky Clark today admitted that he needs to start scoring goals if he wants to get handed a start in the Ibrox first team.

Clark hasn't kicked off a game for the Gers since the Petrofac Training Cup quarter-final win over East Fife in Methil back on October 21.

Many Light Blues fans would like to see the 23-year-old forward given an extended run in Ally McCoist's side.

He performed superbly at the beginning of the 2014/15 campaign and netted three goals in a six game stretch.

But the player, who will be in the squad against Queen of the South, knows he has to hit the target to get picked ahead of Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller.

He said: "When I get a chance off the bench I need to make sure I do well and knick a goal when I get chances.

"I have good memories from my time at Queen of the South - Palmerston Park was a good place for me so hopefully it can be a good place for us tomorrow night.

"It would be great to get a chance to play back there. I came on for the last ten minutes the last time we played them at their place.

"It would be nice to get a wee bit longer than that, but we'll see how the game goes and hopefully I'll do well."

Clark finished his last season at Queen of the South as the top scorer in Britain as they landed the Challenge Cup and Second Division double last year.

He is looking forward to returning to Palmerston Park - but is hopeful he can help Rangers win and maintain the pressure on SPFL Championship leaders Hearts.

Clark said: "It was a good period for me down there and one I will never forget so I'm looking forward to going back down.

"When they came to Ibrox they did well and were up 2-1 at half time that shows they have a good team and have players that can cause problems.

"It will be a tough game tomorrow and we need to make sure we're ready for it.

"I think they have a few stand out players - I used to play alongside young Gavin Reilly up front and he's a good goal scorer and works really hard for his team.

"And Ian Russell who plays on the right showed he's a danger when he scored against us at Ibrox.

"They have a good mix of experience and youth, some of the team are 19 or 20, then there is the likes of Derek Lyle who has been around for years now."

Speaking to the Rangers website, Clark added: "I enjoy evening games, it is always good under the floodlights and it makes for a great atmosphere at a match so I like playing on a Friday night.

"This is an important period for us, Queens are only seven points behind us so we need to get the three points and push on from there and get closer to Hearts."