DOMINIC BALL is pleased Rangers have shored up their defensive line after getting ‘carried away’ with their all-out attacking approach earlier in the campaign.

Mark Warburton’s side failed to score for the first time this term as they fired a blank against Kilmarnock at Ibrox on Saturday.

But another clean sheet was enough to earn the Light Blues a Scottish Cup replay as they bid to book their place in the quarter-finals.

While much of the focus this season has been on Rangers’ free-flowing forward line, it has been a series of shut outs that have been the foundations for an improved run of form recently.

Ball has played his part in both centre-back and holding midfield roles this term and the Spurs stopper hopes the defensive steel will remain at Ibrox.

He said: “We said it was another clean sheet, five from seven now.

“We are happy with that but it wasn’t our day for scoring.

“But as long as you get a clean sheet it’s a bit of a result and we go to Kilmarnock now looking for the win.

“We got carried away a little bit before Christmas. We started playing a bit too aggressive, the two full-backs were going forwards.

“It was literally two defenders and if Andy (Halliday) went on it was maybe three versus two.

“Now we keep one full-back back and the holding midfielder stays too.

“So we attack with six, defend with four. We’re just solid with it.

“As a centre-half you know what you want your midfielder to do but you can’t read his mind and he can’t read yours.

“I’ve learned as a centre-half looking at what he does and what he does well, using that for myself and using what I’d want a holding midfielder to do. When I’ve gone in there that’s what I’ve done.”

Ball has become a key part of Warburton’s squad this season as he has shown his adaptability and performed well in a number of berths for the Gers.

He could return to White Hart Lane with three medals to his credit as Rangers set their sights on the Championship title, PetrofacTraining Cup and Scottish Cup this term.

And the 20-year-old reckons he is reaping the rewards of life in Glasgow as his hard work pays off on the park for the Light Blues.

Ball said: “Going to Spurs after Watford was the best thing I did.

“You’ve got the best facilities, the best coaches. The manager (Mauricio Pochettino) coming in with his staff definitely made a difference.

“I was training up there before I went on loan last season and then gone on loan again.

“The style of play he wants and the mentality is brilliant. I know that is going to benefit me.

“I like to train to improve. Every day I go into Murray Park I’m trying to improve so when I go on the pitch it’s a product of the hard work I’ve been doing. I always work hard and I think it’s showing.

“I think I’ve grown up massively, living on my own, that’s massive for me.

“I’ve matured on and off the pitch and just being in the changing room with first team players.

“At Spurs I wasn’t. I really like having coaches who are pushing you.

“My contract is up at the end of next season. I feel I can go back and challenge. I want to focus on the next game and keep pushing on.”