ANDY MURDOCH today paid tribute to midfield foil Dean Shiels for helping him go from strength to strength since breaking into the Rangers first team.

And he expressed hope he will renew his partnership with the revitalised Northern Ireland internationalist in the rematch with Queen of the South on Sunday.

Murdoch has done exceptionally since being handed his chance in the Gers first team by caretaker boss Kenny McDowall back in February.

The 20-year-old has kept more experienced team-mates like Ian Black and Kyle Hutton out of the side due to the consistent high standard of his performances.

He has been lavished with praise by Stuart McCall, who has put his faith in youths like Robbie Crawford, Ryan Hardie and Tom Walsh since taking over as interim manager in March, for his play.

It was no surprise at all when he picked up the Man of the Match champagne in the first leg of the SPFL Premiership Play-off quarter-final at Palmerston Park at the weekend.

However, the baby-faced enforcer is quick to stress he has had a huge amount of assistance from the more senior members of the Light Blues squad - and Shiels in particular.

The ex-Hibs, Doncaster Rovers and Kilmarnock player hardly started under former managers Ally McCoist or McDowall in the 2014/15 campaign.

However, the 30-year-old has flourished since McCall has come in and has certainly struck it off with the Scotland age-group starlet in midfield.

Murdoch said: "Dean is good to play with. He has got so much experience. He really helps me through games. On top of that, he is a really good player himself.

"You could probably say that we are very different kinds of players. He is more attacking than I am and is good with his feet.

"I, meanwhile, concentrate more on the defensive side of the game. But I think it is a good balance to have in that area of the park. We complement each other.

"I'm lucky to have so many quality players around me in the side and in the squad. It helps me to play to the best of my abilities."

Murdoch revealed that, despite his tender years, playing in front of large attendances also helps him to hit top form for Rangers.

And he admitted he is looking forward to taking to the field at Ibrox on Sunday in front of the first sell-out crowd of the entire season.

Rangers have set ticket prices for the rematch with Queens at just £5 after the SPFL refused to allow them to let season ticket holders in for free.

That has resulted in a stampede for briefs by Light Blues supporters who are desperate to roar their heroes a step closer to promotion.

Murdoch has enjoyed playing in front of more fans since Dave King and his associates seized control at an EGM back in March.

And he produced one of his finest showings of a turbulent campaign when over 40,000 spectators filed through the turnstiles to see Rangers 2-1 win over the Championship winners Hearts last month.

The boyhood Rangers fan remembers when the Govan ground was regularly packed full and believes a return to those days will improve the team's chances of success.

He said: "I was a Rangers supporter when I was growing up, but I didn't really go to many games. I was usually playing football on a Saturday myself.

"My dad was a supporter and he used to go to a lot of games, but I only ever went if it was a really big game or a cup final.

"I went to the League Cup final against St Mirren when Kevin Thomson and Danny Wilson got sent off and then Kenny Miller popped up and scored the winner.

"Rangers are used to playing in big games and have been involved in a lot of them over the years. It is good that we are getting back to that.

"I like playing in front of big crowds. I think you have to thrive on that as a player. I am looking forward to the match this Sunday.

"It definitely helps the team when we have a big crowd behind us at Ibrox and it is good to hear a lot of fans have bought tickets.

"It is encouraging when you do something good on the pitch and you hear the fans respond to that by clapping. It definitely lifts you."

Murdoch was immense against the Doonhamers down in Dumfries and is confident Rangers can progress to the semi-final against Hibs if they replicate their showing.

He said: "We have been playing well lately. We didn't get the result we wanted against Falkirk at home a few weeks ago. That was disappointing.

"But we have not let that affect us. We played well against Hearts at Tynecastle and I thought we did well against Queen of the South at Palmerston at the weekend.

"We know it will be a difficult game. They drew 1-1 with us the last time they came to Ibrox so they are capable of coming to Glasgow and getting a result.

"But if we play we know the way we know we can then we can get another victory and go through. It should be a great occasion. All of the boys are really looking forward to it. I certainly am."