HE has played 32 times this term, scored six goals and arguably been Rangers’ Player of the Year so far this season.

But Barrie McKay insists his achievements and form to date will count for nothing in the coming months as he bids to retain his Light Blues starting spot.

The arrival of Billy King from Hearts on loan and the capture of Michael O’Halloran on deadline day has given boss Mark Warburton plenty of options in the final third.

Glasgow Times: Rangers unveil new signing Michael O'Halloran

But, for many fans, McKay would be one of the first names on the team sheet for the remainder of the Championship title race and as the Gers set their sights on Petrofac Training Cup and Scottish Cup glory.

The Ibrox attacking line has pretty much picked itself in recent weeks as McKay has taken up a spot on the left flank and Kenny Miller and Martyn Waghorn have alternated between the wide right and central striking berths for Warburton’s side.

With King and O’Halloran now in situ, and Harry Forrester determined to prove his worth and earn an extension to his Ibrox deal, nobody in the Gers’ forward three is guaranteed a starting slot at present.

Glasgow Times: KING OF IBROX: Debutant Billy King celebrates a winning goal on his Rangers debut

McKay has more than earned his place in Warburton’s plans as he has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence under the guidance of the 53-year-old this term, and his fine form appears set to be rewarded with a new deal to keep him at Ibrox for the long haul.

But the winger knows he can’t afford to rest on his laurels and take anything for granted as he bids to maintain his high standards and see off the hat-trick of threats for his Gers jersey.

McKay said: “Obviously the more competition for places there is in the squad the harder it is going to be to keep your place in the team.

“So you need to try and keep your level of performances as high as possible to make sure that you are the name on the team sheet.

Glasgow Times: Rangers' Barrie McKay (right) celebrates after scoring his side's second goal

“It is not about what I have done in the past, it needs to be about what I keep on doing. Just because I have been playing well recently doesn’t mean that I am guaranteed a place in the team.

“I need to keep that level of performance up. All of the new signings are really high quality players and I am sure they can come in and really help the squad.”

With King and O’Halloran cup tied on Saturday, McKay made the most of another chance to impress against Kilmarnock at Ibrox.

The 21-year-old was named Man of the Match as Warburton’s side endured a frustrating afternoon against their Premiership visitors.

For the first time this term, the Gers were unable to find the net as they had to settle for a Scottish Cup stalemate and a second shot at Killie as they bid to progress to the quarter-finals.

Glasgow Times: Kilmarnock caretaker manager Lee McCulloch shakes hands with Rangers manager Mark Warburton after their Scottish Cup draw at Ibrox. Picture: PA

The lack of goals certainly wasn’t down to a lack of trying as a handful of decent chances came and went without the Killie net being found.

And McKay couldn’t believe Rangers didn’t get the rewards for their efforts as interim boss Lee McCulloch saw his side thwart the Light Blues on his Ibrox return.

He said: “It was obviously a hard one to take. We thought we did enough to see us over the line but unfortunately we couldn’t take our chances.

“It is a hard one to take for the boys after putting so much into it, but at the same time so did Kilmarnock. They had a game plan and they stuck to it.

“We created quite a bit and to not see the game out with a victory was quite hard to take, especially coming up against a Premiership team we feel that we did do quite well against.”

McKay may have picked up the champagne on Saturday but the bubbly remains very much on ice in the Championship at present.

 

Glasgow Times: Rangers winger Barrie McKay

There will be just a dozen league fixtures left after the Warburton's side face Alloa on Saturday and McKay is confident the Light Blues can maintain their momentum in the coming weeks.

He said: “It will be a tough game for us, as all the games this season have been. Hopefully we can go down there and give a good level of performance and get the victory.

“The way we think is that we just need to keep doing what we have been doing and keep winning games. If we can do that, it will take care of itself.

Glasgow Times: Rangers manager Mark Warburton

“Obviously there is pressure because we are Rangers and we are expected to win every game but we just need to keep our feet on the ground and keep doing what we are doing.

“The likes of Kenny and Waldo (Lee Wallace) have been there and done that so they can lend their experience to the younger boys and the new boys as well.”