RANGERS have kept alive their hopes of landing silverware in four different competitions despite having to use three different goalkeepers.

Cammy Bell, Steve Simonsen and Lee Robinson have all taken their turns playing between the sticks for the Ibrox club this season.

Each man has excelled as the Gers have stayed in touch with leaders Hearts in the SPFL Championship and progressed in three cups.

And today Rangers coach Jim Stewart was hailed for ensuring that Bell, Simonsen and Robinson have all performed to a high standard when they have been given the nod.

The former Kilmarnock, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Scotland goalie is a key member of Ally McCoist's backroom team.

And Robinson reckons he is an unsung hero for the Glasgow giants due to the excellent work he carries out behind the scenes with players in the specialised position.

He recalled: "I worked with Jim a bit during my first spell at Rangers after he rejoined the club as goalkeeping coach in 2007.

"But during that time I spent a lot of time out on loan at other clubs so, unfortunately, I didn't get too much of a chance to benefit from his great knowledge.

"So it is great to be back at Rangers now and working with Jim every day in training.

"I have improved a lot as a goalkeeper since I came back even though I have only been involved in two matches.

"I have picked up a lot of little things from Jim that have helped to improve my performances.

"He spots things in your game and is great at pointing out ways in which you can improve.

"It has been great working with Jim and the other keepers every day at training. I really could not have asked any more of him.

"Jim has been great with me. I feel he gets the very best out of me and all of the other goalkeepers at the club. We have a lot to thank him for."

FIRST-CHOICE goalie Bell was one of Rangers' star performers last season as they went unbeaten in the third tier, so it was feared their challenge in all competitions could falter this term when he suffered a dislocated shoulder that will keep him out until next year.

But Stewart has worked hard to ensure that both stand-ins, Simonsen and Robinson, have shone in their first-team appearances so far.

Robinson started his professional career at Rangers as a fresh-faced 18-year-old kid back in 2004.

But he readily admits he failed to grasp the opportunity he was given.

So he is delighted to be back at the club after stints with Kilmarnock, Queen of the South, Ostersunds FK in Sweden and Raith Rovers.

The Sunderland-born shot-stopper, who was signed as back-up for Bell and Simonsen this summer, reckons he can improve further now thanks to working under Stewart.

He continued: "In my first stint at Rangers I was young and foolish and, unfortunately, I didn't apply myself as well I should have done.

"But I am 28 now and realise you never stop learning in this business and have to apply yourself every day.

"I feel like I am just starting my career now. I had some great times here as a youngster but took things for granted sometimes and didn't make the most of things.

"Fortunately for me, 28 is young for a goalkeeper. I have had some good experiences and hopefully I will have many more in the future. I am just going to keep working hard and hopefully I will get more chances to play.

"I have good players alongside me and a good coach to learn from."

ROBINSON came on as a sub for Simonsen last month after his fellow Englishman battered his head against a post while making a brave save in the League Cup quarter-final against St Johnstone at Ibrox.

He went on to keep a clean sheet for the remaining 40 minutes of that match, which Rangers won 1-0.

Four days later Robinson also shut out Dumbarton as the Light Blues recorded another 1-0 victory, this time in a Scottish Cup tie at the Bet Butler Stadium. Since then Simonsen has taken back his starting place.

McCoist's men have now kept six consecutive clean sheets, while in their last eight games they have only conceded one goal - in an emphatic 6-1 triumph over Raith Rovers.

Robinson believes the entire Gers back line has to take credit for that impressive run of form defensively and not just the goalkeepers.

Richard Foster, Darren McGregor, Lee McCulloch and Lee Wallace have established themselves as the first-choice rearguard thanks to a series of accomplished displays.

Robinson insisted: "It isn't just the fact we haven't been conceding goals that has been impressive, we haven't been giving opposition teams many chances to score either.

"One of the things you realise as a keeper when you come to this club is that you will have to be ready to make only one or two saves in a match. It takes a bit of getting used to.

"But the defenders in front of us have been great in the last couple of months and have done really well. Long may it continue."

AFTER being released by Rangers five years ago Robinson did well at clubs in the lower leagues. He helped Queen of the South win the Challenge Cup and Second Division double in 2012-13 and ensured Raith Rovers beat Rangers in the Challenge Cup final at Easter Road in April.

Last year he was named SFL Goalkeeper of the Season and included in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year.

But he concedes he failed to make the most of his first spell at Rangers and is now determined to make up for lost time at the club.

He said: "When I was let go by the club in 2009 it gave me the kick up the backside I needed. It was my worst experience ever.

"I thought I would never get the chance to play for Rangers again. But it's strange how things turn out.

"It's an old saying that you don't get many second chances in life but I have been given one. I appreciate being here so much and fully intend to make the very most of it.

"I thought I was ready when I was 20 or 21. I wasn't willing to learn.

"I didn't realise that it takes hard work to make it in this game.

"But now I try my hardest in every training session and in every match that I get the chance to play in."