Rangers star Barrie McKay wants to repay Mark Warburton’s faith in him by providing a fitting end to a season where he has established himself as one of the first names on the Rangers teamsheet.

McKay’s Ibrox career looked to be stalling under previous management teams, as he was farmed out on loan to Morton and Saturday’s opponents, Raith Rovers.

He has been a mainstay though of what looks to be a successful Rangers charge to the Championship title under his new boss.

His side could clinch the league title and promotion to the Premiership with a win in Kirkcaldy should Hibs lose at St Mirren, and McKay is grateful to the Rangers management team for giving him the freedom to express himself in light blue.

“I take a lot of confidence from the gaffer and Davie Weir and the platform they have given me to perform on,” he said.

“When I first started playing for Rangers it was down in the Third Division, so to be able to complete that journey with them would be a personal achievement for me and hopefully I can do that.

“The manager has given me a chance from the start of the season and I’ve played in just about every game, so it shows you how much confidence he has in me.

“For the other players as well, he gives you that freedom to play and that’s what you need from a manager.”

McKay is looking forward to returning to club duty after a week away with Scotland’s under-21s on international duty.

He was unmoved when the suggestion was put to him that Rangers’ imminent promotion to the Premiership may enhance his own and teammate Lee Wallace’s chances of a senior call-up.

“You never know, that’s up to whoever is picking the Scotland team at the time,” he said.

“If they don’t pick us, we’ll just keep going for Rangers.

“That’s our club level and that’s where we want to be playing, and if any international recognition comes from that then so be it.

“When I go back to Rangers I’ll concentrate on our next game. The international break is over now, but hopefully if I just keep doing what I’m doing then I might get that first-team call-up.”

McKay meanwhile hit back at critics of Scotland’s under-21 squad after they were humbled by France last Thursday night.

Ricky Sbragia’s young guns recovered from a goal down to win 3-1 against Northern Ireland on Tuesday to make amends, and McKay hit out at their detractors following the victory.

He said: “A lot of criticism came after the France game, but we were playing against £40-£50 million players, so it was always going to be difficult and they were going to have most of the ball and most of the chances.

“At the same time I wouldn’t say that we were poor against them, they were just on another level.”