JON DALY today tipped strike partner Nicky Clark to challenge him for the top-scorer crown at Rangers this season.

The Irishman banged in his 18th goal of the 2013/14 campaign in the 3-0 win over Ayr United at Ibrox on Saturday.

Clark is some way behind his prolific team-mate in the scoring charts, having netted on seven occasions.

But Daly was impressed with the four goals his strike partner netted in the emphatic 6-1 triumph over Forfar Athletic last week.

And he believes the 22-year-old predator is set to score many more goals in the remainining weeks and months of this term.

He said: "He had been playing well and just not getting any luck in front of goal. But he had been hitting posts and crossbars and keeps making goalkeepers produce brilliant saves.

"When that happens as a striker you wonder where your next goal is going to come from. But I was delighted when he scored four goals last week. He has been working hard, playing great football and getting into good positions. I could understand if he had started to question himself.

"Hopefully he can kick on from there and score many more goals this season. I have no doubt at all that he will do exactly that.

"He will be full of confidence after the Forfar game and I am sure he will go into every match we play now feeling he can score.

"He is a fantastic lad and everyone here wants to see him do well."

Daly, who took time to settle at Rangers after joining on a free transfer from Dundee United in the summer, is not surprised it has taken Clark a while to hit top form.

The former Aberdeen kid netted over 40 goals as Queen of the South romped to a Second Division and Challenge Cup double last season.

And many Light Blues fans had expected him to score a similar number of goals in the third tier once again.

But Daly said: "Playing in front of 45,000 supporters every other week has been new for Nicky and it is no surprise there has been a period of adjustment.

"And teams that come to Ibrox aren't just going to lie down and let you score as many goals as you want to. Yes, you certainly do get a few chances playing up front for Rangers.

"But when Nicky was playing for Queens last season I don't think opposing teams would have been so focused or committed as they are.

"Teams always seem to find an extra 10 or 15 per cent when they are playing against Rangers and you need to work hard to combat that."