NEIL ALEXANDER reckons Rangers' rookies are finally getting to grips with what it means to play for the Ibrox club.

The keeper, along with skipper Lee McCulloch, has been around the club for years and admits he's trying to pass on all the nous and experience he has to help new team-mates young and old adapt.

Alexander knows that, even though Rangers are now rooted in the Third Division after their fall from grace, the players still operate in a unique must-win environment that is only equalled across the city at Celtic.

As he prepared for Sunday's top-of-the-table clash at Elgin, he said: "You have got to adapt to it or you are out.

"You've got to handle high pressure situations and it has been a great learning curve for me.

"You have to set the bar high and maintain your standards. Now I am playing regularly hopefully I can help the young boys and pass on advice and encouragement like Lee McCulloch is doing.

"He has been terrific for them in the dressing room and just in general about what it means at Rangers to so many people.

"I can let them know what is expected and the standards that are set and the whole experience I have had has stood me in good stead for that."

Rangers are finding some form after a sticky run and can go five points clear of the Highlanders with a game in hand if they land three points on Sunday.

"Confidence is a help," Alexander admitted, "When you are winning people come out of their shells and start to express themselves that bit more.

"The foreign lads are a bit more comfortable, they are louder and there is more banter and they have settled in and are enjoying it now."

Meanwhile, Gers gaffer Ally McCoist believes Kevin Kyle's Ibrox career is ready for lift-off after he opened his account in the 6-2 win over East Stirlingshire last time out.

He said: "I was pleased for the big fellow because he's worked ever so hard since he came in. I could see there was a certain amount of relief for him getting that goal. I know how he felt because he was out for a long time with the injuries.

"If you're a centre forward you always want to get the ball in the back of the net and I could see he was relieved so I was pleased for him.

"He deserves everything he gets for the effort he's put in and I thought he played well at East Stirling and he gives us a different option again.

"He holds his position well and likes that back post where he got his goal on Saturday."