MARK WARBURTON reckons the backing from the stands has inspired his Rangers stars to go the extra mile on the pitch this season.

The Light Blues host Raith Rovers at Ibrox this afternoon aiming for their ninth successive win this term and are set to be roared on by another bumper home crowd.

Warburton’s side have hit 30 goals in their eight competitive outings so far this term as they have turned on the style and stormed out of the blocks.

And the former Brentford boss is pleased his players are rising to the challenge of meeting the demands from the terraces as he bids for another Championship triumph.

Warburton said: “Last year, we were the underdog in many games. Now we are expected to win.

“That is the expectation the players and staff have to deal with so our job is to prepare and enjoy that responsibility.

“If we go into a game trying to get a point, that is not right for Rangers Football Club.

“The fans have been fantastic. We have created those chances and maintained that level of intensity because the support has been outstanding.

“The supporters are there making a noise in the eighth minute and the 88th minute so we have to maintain our drive and our focus and keep on pushing. That is the whole point.

“We have scored a lot of late goals, we are in good shape physically, but the fans have given us some fantastic backing and we have to respond and hopefully send them home happy.”

Rangers have netted seven goals in their home wins over Peterhead, St Mirren and Hibernian this season as they have moved top of the table and progressed in two cup competitions.

Raith knocked the Gers out of the Scottish Cup last season as they claimed a shock 2-1 win and Warburton knows Ray McKinnon’s side could be inspired by their surroundings this afternoon.

He said: “I am not sure about a fear factor. The opposition can go there (Ibrox) with little expectation and go enjoy themselves.

“You can look at it two ways. If we were going there in our position last year, as a smaller team in the English Championship, we would always use that.

“Go there, you are not expected to win, just play fearless football and enjoy yourself 100% and see where it leaves you.

“It can work both ways. You can go to Ibrox and be inspired as a team, look at the surroundings, look at the quality of the pitch and the 50,000 sell out, and say ‘what is not to enjoy about this?’

“We have to try and do our job and dominate the football, dominate possession, create chances and score goals. As basic as it may sound, that is our job.”