MARK WARBURTON is confident John Eustace can make a big impact at Ibrox when he finally puts pen-to-paper on a deal with Rangers.

The midfielder has been training with Warburton’s squad for several weeks now but has yet to sign a contract to officially join the Light Blues.

Eustace has been a regular sight on match days this term as Warburton’s side have won their first nine games to progress in the Petrofac Training Cup, League Cup and open up a five point advantage at the top of the Championship.

The 35-year-old has not played since Derby County’s win over Ipswich in January after sustaining a knee injury that kept him side-lined for the second half of the season.

But Warburton reckons Eustace is already playing his part off the park as he looks to get him on the pitch as soon as possible.

He said: “John wants to be a fit player that can impact for Rangers. I know the role he can have and right now he is contributing magnificently.

“If you ask Andy Halliday or Jason Holt or Tom Walsh or Barrie McKay, he is talking to them every day and imparting his experience. He wants to get himself fit.

“I can’t speak highly enough of John as a character. He is a top pro, a top character off the pitch and he wants to do the right thing and show the club what he can do.

“He is desperate to get himself fit and I hope very much we can see a fit John Eustace

“Yes, he had choices to go elsewhere. But, like all the players, he came here and saw the stadium and Murray Park.

“In my mind, it is a Champions League training ground. John knows that. He was blown away the first time he saw it.

“He has played for big clubs – Stoke City, Watford, Derby County – so he is used to big clubs. He wants to have a role here.

“He enjoys it, he gets on well with the group and they respect him. He wants to make sure he can contribute.”