LEE WALLACE reckons it is imperative that Rangers retain the services of Kenny Miller and allow him to lead the way in Light Blue for years to come.

The striker was the hero for the Gers at Ibrox on Saturday as his late double secured a dramatic Scottish Cup win over Motherwell.

Boss Mark Warburton is keen to see Miller put pen-to-paper on a new deal to keep him at the club beyond the end of the campaign and Wallace insists the 37-year-old is vital to the Rangers cause.

He said: “I think everything has already been said, you see it from numerous players and you see it from the manager.

Read more: Rangers 2-1 Motherwell: Mark Warburton's side must avoid a Premiership slip-up after a Scottish Cup scare

“Obviously there is a contract stuff going on and this can sound like the old pals act with me saying we need to keep Kenny long-term but it’s far from the pals act.

“As long as we keep Kenny Miller at this club we’ll continue winning games and hopefully bring success back to the football club.

“As long as we keep Kenny Miller at this football club our young players are going to learn and develop and trust him and learn from him and speak to him every day – and I put myself in that bracket. I think it is hugely important that we keep him.

“It would be easy to say it’s the old pals act and trying to get the message out there that we need to keep him but that’s my strong feelings. We’re going to do better as a club if Kenny Miller stays here.

“Everything has been said about him. He’ll get a wee bit annoyed when we keep referring to his age but I think his age aside, the way he conducts himself, the way that he trains, that’s now a given. I’ve said many times that has to be the way we all look at ourselves and we all look to try and apply ourselves and especially for being the age he’s at.

“A lot has been made about Davie Weir this week and his ten-year anniversary and how long he played and I think those two guys epitomize that, the way they look after themselves, the way they speak, the way they train. It’s great and for all of us to look up to and aspire to.”

Read more: Rangers 2-1 Motherwell: Mark Warburton's side must avoid a Premiership slip-up after a Scottish Cup scare

Miller may be in the twilight of his career but he continues to shine at Rangers and play a key role for Warburton’s side.

And skipper Wallace admits his influence on and off the park remains as important as ever as he strives for further success at Ibrox.

He said: “I think [clubs would want him]. He’s a student of the game, the way he talks about football, the way that he’s involved with the Under-20s, the way me and him sit and talk day in, day out on tactics and looking to make things better and making improvements and working close with the manager.

“You’ve got a ready-made coach there but hopefully in a few years’ time, we’re not talking about next week or next month but that transition is there for his career.

“Of course we need to maximize that, in my opinion. We need to look at that and let’s keep him here for as long as we can because he’s doing what he’s doing out there on the pitch, that’s there for everyone to see.

“But on the back of that you’ve got a ready-made coach in there, for whatever area the club want to us that but we need to use him because he’s one of the main players in there that’s had success at this club.

“He knows what it is to get into the Champions League group stages, he’s a top international player, so these types of players we need to keep around the club, whether they are playing and, of the back of that, in a coaching capacity.”