THE clock is ticking for Rangers as the battle that could end the war draws ever nearer.

It is not just off the field problems that could be solved in the coming days and weeks and with the passing of time, however.

While the attempt by Dave King to overthrow the beleaguered board continues to take centre stage, there are issues on the park that need urgently addressed.

Defeat to Raith Rovers on Sunday not only saw Rangers crash out of the Scottish Cup and suffer a second elimination in seven days, it piled yet more misery and pressure on a manager and squad that have hardly had their problems to seek for some time.

It is a situation Haris Vuckic has only just found himself in but one he will have to quickly become accustomed to as a team bereft of confidence and struggling for form look to rescue a campaign that has gone from bad to worse.

The Slovenian was one of the few positives for boss Kenny McDowall at the weekend as he saw his side crash to a 2-1 loss.

He capped a fine debut performance with a well taken goal that should have given Rangers a platform for success but only proved to be a consolation on an afternoon to forget.

There were plenty signs that there will be more to come from him this season, though, as he looks to make the most of his spell in Scotland after he and four of his Newcastle United team-mates arrived on deadline day.

Vuckic looked more than comfortable on the ball and in Light Blue forward line and he reckons he will only get better in the coming games.

He said: "I am that kind of player, I like to have freedom and create. I tried to link up with our strikers and midfield.

"We just have to work on that and create even more chances.

"We know each other for three or four days so we need to get to know each other more and better. The more time we spend together, we are going to get better hopefully.

"I was a bit surprised but I need to step up a bit more.

"Raith Rovers were quite aggressive on us, they were fighting so that was tough.

"In England, it is the same but in Scotland it is a bit more. I just need to step up.

"That was my first 90 minutes for a while so I need to step up more in my game. Hopefully the goals will come and the results as well.

"You have to adapt to the team and I will get to know them even more.

"I need to be more aggressive, have the ball at my feet, create chances and score goals.

"That is my job. If I do that, I think we are going to be successful hopefully."

After seeing team-mate Remie Streete forced off just before the break with a groin injury, Vuckic became the only Magpies' protégé on the park for Rangers.

His second half equaliser saw him finish well after a burst forward by Kyle Hutton but his joy was to prove short-lived as Rangers crashed out of the cup.

Vuckic said: "It was a lovely ball from Kyle. I just had to take a good touch and find the corner. It went in and I celebrated, I was really happy to score.

"It gave me a bit of confidence. But I am disappointed to lose."

While Vuckic could be pleased with a decent debut performance, the shock cup exit undoubtedly took the shine off his first appearance in Light Blue.

Goals from Ryan Conroy and Christian Nade ultimately condemned McDowall's men to defeat as they were booed off by an 11,000 Ibrox crowd.

Vuckic said: "In the cup, it is all about winning and we are disappointed that we lost.

"We spoke with the lads that it was not good enough. We need to step on, win the games and get our fans on our side so that it will be better."

With his first 90 minutes under his belt, Vuckic will now look to secure his first win in Scottish football when Hibernian make the trip to Ibrox on Friday night.

Alan Stubbs' side are just a point adrift of the Gers in the Championship standings, although the Light Blues have three games in hand over their Capital rivals.

And Vuckic is determined to extend that advantage and start eating into the 19 point deficit to top of the table Hearts.

"It is going to be good," he told RangersTV.

"Hibs are third at the moment. If we win then we push on.

"We have got three games in hand as well. Our aim is to win as many games as possible and move closer to Hearts."