Matt Gilks: I need to make the most of cup outings to give me the edge in battle for Rangers No.1 jersey

But Matt Gilks is determined to be there every step of the way as he looks to help Mark Warburton’s side to knock-out success in the coming months.

The keeper has made both of his competitive appearances for Rangers in the Betfred Cup this season and he will be handed a third outing in Light Blue this evening.

Gilks was hardly tested against Annan and East Stirlingshire as Warburton’s side recorded straightforward Group F wins and he could be in for another quiet 90 minutes when Peterhead make the trip to Ibrox.

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It will still be a crucial occasion for the 34-year-old, though, as he looks to prove his worth and give Warburton a selection dilemma when the Gers return to Premiership action.

With Wes Foderingham currently in possession of the gloves, Gilks has a fight on his hands this term and he knows he must make the most of his cup outings.

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“Yeah, getting a run out will be good for me,” he said.

“The manager said there would be a few changes, so myself and a few boys will get the chance to show what they can do.

“But it’s also to do with what we do day to day. I’ve got to come in every day smiling, working hard and showing I can be the No.1 at Rangers.

“I’ve been led to believe that (I will play the cup games) is what is going to happen.

“It’s difficult when you have good goalies at the football club because if one is playing the other one is not going to get games.

“The cup competition gives you the chance to throw the other goalie in and give him competitive games to see what he can do.

“Getting games in friendlies is just not the same thing. This is a good way of looking at both your goalkeepers.”

Gilks may not have had to get his gloves dirty in his first two Rangers appearances but the keeper still played his part in those comfortable cup successes.

He is one of nine players that have made the move to Ibrox so far this summer and will be an important part of the squad in the coming months.

The 4-3-3 formation that is the cornerstone of the Warburton blueprint is familiar to Gilks following his time working under Ian Holloway at Blackpool.

But the former Scotland shot-stopper is enjoying the extra responsibility as part of the Gers side as he uses his feet as much as his hands.

Gilks said: “In those games for Blackpool I probably didn’t have as much possession but now

“I’m learning a lot more about being out of my goal, receiving the ball more rather than predominately just being a goalkeeper. I’ve got another role to play now, almost a sweeper.

“It’s a massive concentration issue. The game against East Stirling away, I didn’t have anything to do but I came off soaked in sweat and with a headache through shouting.

“The concentration levels go up and you are finding passes that normally a midfielder will be finding. It’s a good way to play and it can be exciting as well.

“The whole point is keeping the ball. There’s no point in punting the ball down the pitch when you’ve got a big hairy centre half down the pitch wanting to head it 50 yards back at you.

“It’s all about possession. If we’ve got the ball, they haven’t and the style we play, we can break teams down, pass through them and take the chances that we make.

“I’d rather do it that way than shell it 80 or 90 yards aiming for someone’s head. We make the back four more or less a five, so I enjoy it that.”

The switch between the sticks that will see Gilks replace Foderingham is one of many that boss Warburton could make against the Blue Toon tonight.

The cup clash comes just days after Rangers got their Premiership title bid off to a disappointing start as they were held at home by Hamilton Accies.

Two dropped points was not the return to the Premiership that the Light Blues had in mind but Gilks is confident there will be few other slip-ups this season.

He said: “We were disappointed. [The dressing room] was very flat, very quiet after the game.

“But Hamilton came with a plan and soaked it up after the first 10, 15 minutes when we were well on top.

“They got their noses in front and held on for a while. Obviously Waggy came up with the goal and they held on for the rest of the game, which is credit to them. They’ve probably raised their game coming into Ibrox, which a lot of teams will do.

“I don’t think it was a reality check. We know what’s going to come and what we are going to face.

“But it’s just about continuing to develop. We have new players and they have to get used to the system and to the other players as well.

“It’s still a learning curve for us and it was the first game. I’m sure we won’t drop many more points to be honest.”