KYLE HUTTON today revealed he is determined to play well enough to earn a new deal with Rangers between now and the end of the season.

 

Hutton started his first match of the campaign against SPFL Championship opponents Dumbarton at Ibrox on Saturday.

The 23-year-old midfielder performed well despite his lack of game time, and helped Kenny McDowall's side run out 3-1 winners.

He is one of a dozen Gers players whose deals expire in the summer, and is desperate to prove he deserves an extension to his current contract.

Hutton said: "Getting a new deal is obviously my objective between now and the end of the season. But, for now, I just want to help the team get three points whenever I get a game and try to get us back in the title race.

"We still think we can catch Hearts. Obviously it is just a flickering hope, but we just need to concentrate on winning every game. If we can claw their lead back to single figures, it might get interesting.

"We have them at the end of the month and are looking forward to it."

Hutton took over from Ian Black in central midfield in the first half of the 4-0 drubbing to Hibs at Easter Road at the end of last month.

But he revealed the man he has displaced had been encouraging before he took to the field against the Sons at the weekend.

He said: "He wished me the best before the game. We are all in this together and he wanted me to do well. I just need to try my best now.

"Obviously, I will have wee Blacky breathing down my neck and trying to get back into the team. When you aren't playing it is not the best of times. But it was just down to me to get my head down, work hard and get into the side.

"I have now done that. It is up to me to keep going and try to play as many games as I can between now and the end of the season."