TOM WALSH is confident Rangers can continue to satisfy the demands of an expectant Ibrox crowd as they set their sights on the Ladbrokes Championship title.

Mark Warburton’s side kick off their promotion bid when they host St Mirren on Friday night and will be determined to make it a hat-trick of competitive wins following their cup wins over Hibernian and Peterhead.

A bumper crowd is expected for the Buddies clash as supporters continue to buy into the methods and style of their new manager and his remodelled side.

Winger Walsh has yet to get his first taste of action on Warburton’s watch after missing out on successive weekends.

But the 19-year-old can’t wait to hear the Ibrox roar once again when Rangers face the Saints.

Walsh told SportTimes: “When you see the season ticket sales, you can tell there is an excitement amongst the fans again.

“It is a good place to be just now and there is a feelgood factor around the club. Long may that continue and it is up to the players to keep them happy.

“The fans, for any club, are massive. But the numbers we have got is an advantage for us. There is no atmosphere or place like Ibrox in the league and we have to use that to our benefit. They will always be there to support us.

“Hopefully they are patient and see the new style and what we are trying to do. Hopefully we can perform for them and, as the manager says, send them home happy.

“There will be times when they are frustrated, but that is part of life and just how it is. You can’t change it.

“I want to play in front of big crowds and for Rangers. You have to take the good and the bad when it comes and hopefully there is more good than bad this season.”

The Saints clash on Friday will signal the start of Rangers’ second bid for Championship glory as they look to finally clinch their return to the Premiership.

The Light Blues could only finish third last term before missing out on promotion as they crashed to a 6-1 play-off defeat to Motherwell.

And Walsh insists there will be no hangover from a disastrous campaign as Rangers set their sights on the top flight once again.

He said: “We all wanted to get promoted last season, but unfortunately we fell short and it didn’t happen for us.

“But we won’t look at last year. That is done now. We are looking forward now and looking forward to a big season ahead.

“It has all been positive so far and all the boys are enjoying it so hopefully it will be a good season for us.”