JON Daly believes the return of Ian Black will help Rangers recapture their best form.

The Ibrox club performed poorly in the SPFL League One showdown with Forfar Athletic at Station Park last Sunday.

And they struggled to overcome Championship club Queen of the South at Palmerston before that.

Daly feels the Light Blues have missed Black badly while he was serving a three-game ban for gambling offences.

And the striker reckons having the midfielder back will help them overcome third-placed Stenhousemuir this afternoon.

He said: "He is a big player for us. I think when Blackie plays it gives the likes of Nicky Law the licence to go forward more.

"With Blackie missing I think Nicky has had to play a bit of a deeper role and that obviously takes away from us going forward.

"We are glad he is back involved and available for selection.

"He is a difficult opponent to play against. He is a good midfielder. He makes the team tick with the positions he takes up.

"He picks it up in deeper areas and he makes the other midfield lads push on and help out with the attack. He has a really good passing range.

"Again, we are delighted that he is back in the squad and available. I am sure Nicky Law will be the first to tell you he is delighted to have him in the team.

"It gives him the licence to push forward and try and get some goals and create things. We have missed that in the last few games."

Black was banned for 10 games - seven of which were suspended - and fined £7,500 for a string of offences over seven years.

They included one match against East Stirlingshire at Ochilview last season where he bet against Rangers to win.

But Daly stressed that none of his team-mates have any problems about playing alongside the 28-year-old.

He said: "What has happened has happened. You can't change that. Obviously he has made a mistake and the boys have forgiven him for that and we move on.

"Hopefully everyone lets it go and lets him get back to playing football and doing what he was doing best on the park for us. It is done and dusted."

Rangers boss Ally McCoist revealed that Black has been taking some ribbing.

Daly said: "That is dressing rooms for you. You take a bit of banter. But we are delighted he is available. He does wonders for us."

Rangers will open the new Ibrox Bar in the Ibrox Suite for the first time tomorrow.

Match and season ticket holders can have a drink two-and-a-half hours before kick-off and two hours after the match.