DEAN SHIELS is delighted Rangers have struck the balance between a free-flowing style and winning football in the opening weeks of the campaign.

And the midfielder reckons there are similarities between the way the Light Blues are playing and the Hibernian side Tony Mowbray won rave reviews for putting together.

Shiels was part of an Easter Road squad that included the likes of Steven Whittaker, Kevin Thomson, Scott Brown and Gary O’Connor that clinched successive top four finishes in the Scottish Premier League.

Rangers face Morton on Sunday aiming for their eighth successive Championship triumph as they look to continue their impressive start to the season.

And Shiels is enjoying playing his part in a Gers side that have produced a series of superb displays under the guidance of boss Mark Warburton.

He said: “I think it is quite similar to Tony Mowbray’s Hibs team, in a way.

“Whittaker and (David) Murphy were a very strong part of the attack and at Kilmarnock we played high and expansive.

“It is the type of football that, if you ask players, they will say they enjoy playing.

“We have managed to win every league game so far playing that way, which makes it doubly enjoyable. When you are winning games, it is easier.

“It is an attacking way of playing. It can only help Scottish football I think.

“When Tony came in and we played that way, it rubbed off on a couple of other teams and they tried to do the same.

“We were successful there, we finished third. If you are getting results, it helps. If you are playing an expansive, passing way and you are not getting the results then people see it as naïve.

“At Kilmarnock, we won a cup playing that way and at Hibs we finished third and got into Europe. If you are winning and playing that way, it is great.”

Rangers head to Cappielow tomorrow determined to get back to winning ways after they suffered their first defeat of the season against St Johnstone in midweek.

The Saints were 3-1 winners at Ibrox as they progressed to the League Cup fourth round and inflicted a loss on boss Warburton for the first time at Ibrox.

And Shiels is determined there will be an immediate reaction from the Gers squad as they return to second tier action.

He said: "The aim is to bounce straight back after the defeat and it's handy there is a game so soon.

"It was disappointing. We conceded poor goals at crucial times of the game.

"Even at half-time, we feel we are still in it at 2-0 but the third goal gave us a mountain to climb. But we need to move on, learn from it.

"I don't think it was down to the tactics. We have won a lot of games playing that way this season.

"That's our strength - attacking football. I don't think we will change.

"We looked at the game in great detail and we can see where we went wrong.

"But nevertheless, we have won games playing that way and will continue to do so.

"We hadn't lost a game yet so you learn a lot about a team when they do. I'm sure we'll have the character to bounce back on Sunday.”

*Dean Shiels was speaking to promote the Rangers Charity Foundation’s annual Charity Ball, which this year encompasses all the glamour of the Great Gatsby Era with a ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ theme.

The Ball will take place at the Hilton Glasgow on Saturday, November 21 and profits will be shared between UNICEF, Alzheimer Scotland, Glasgow City Mission, Yorkhill Children’s Charity and four armed services charities.

Tickets cost £100 per person (minimum booking two places on a shared table basis) or £1000 for a table of ten and include a drinks reception, four course dinner with wine, entertainment and complimentary gift.

For more information call 0141 580 8775, visit www.rangerscharity.org.uk or email rangerscharity@rangers.co.uk