RANGERS legend Willie Johnston is pleased the Ibrox crowd are sticking with Mark Warburton’s side as they set their sights on the Championship crown.

The Gers moved three points clear at the top of the table with a 4-0 victory over Dumbarton on Tuesday night as they got a key run of fixtures off to a winning start.

It was a mixed night for Warburton’s side as they struggled in the first half before hitting the goal trail after the break to clinch a deserved triumph thanks to goals from Jason Holt, Martyn Waghorn, Nathan Oduwa and Andy Halliday.

Boss Warburton has often spoken about the need for his players to handle the demands from the stands as his newly assembled squad get used to life at Ibrox.

Glasgow Times: Rangers' Martyn Waghorn celebrates after giving his side the 2-0 lead

And Barca Bear Johnston knows the Light Blue legions have their own part to play in helping secure a top flight berth in the coming months.

He said: “I think if they were in the Premiership and having bad games, the fans might get on to them more. The fans are being very patient with them and if we can get back into the Premiership then we will go from there.

“The fans are unbelievable. The boys that have come up here and are playing, it is great for them and it will help them enormously in their careers.

“The club is massive, it really is. It has been down but hopefully these boys can take us back up and we can go from there.

“We are trying to come back and I am confident we will come back. These boys have a great chance to make a name for themselves.

Glasgow Times: Nathan Oduwa celebrates after putting Rangers 3-0 up at Ibrox

“If you are playing in front of 40,000 or 50,000 every week, you should be enjoying it. You won’t get much better than that.

“There is a different feel around Ibrox now. People aren’t walking out at half-time now!

“No disrespect to anyone that has been here in the last couple of years, but it does feel better and the football is better.

“I love the place. It is nice to be asked back. It is the team and the fans that count and hopefully we get back to the Premiership.”

It has been an encouraging start to the campaign for Rangers as supporters have been impressed with the style of play Warburton has instilled in his side and the signings he made during the summer transfer window.

Glasgow Times: Rangers manager Mark Warburton (left) congratulates goal scorer Jason Holt as he leaves the field on Saturday

The Gers boss will go back into the market for more reinforcements next month and Johnston is confident there is the foundations of a successful side in place at Ibrox.

He said: “There is pace in the team, there is goals in the team and the fans like it and are enjoying it. That is all down to the management and the players that are going out there.

“Compared with the last couple of seasons, we have improved as a team. We look a team.

“There were a lot of individuals in the last couple of years. It is a team game and we are looking good.

“I would say we maybe need a strong midfield player, someone who can break up play and maybe another defender. The manager will know what he needs.”

 

*Barcelona Bear Willie Johnston is the latest Rangers great to have a brick panel named in his honour and fans can snap up stadium bricks with their own personal messages now for £50.

Supporters must place orders in person at Ibrox by December 23 to receive certificates in time for Christmas presents with brick placement to follow in the New Year.

Bricks on the new Johnston panel can be purchased now from www.rydc.co.uk, by calling 0141 427 4914, texting RANGERS to 67766 or visiting the Rangers Lotto office in Broomloan House at the stadium.

Stadium Bricks are just one of a number of Rangers Youth Development Company products that help fund the Rangers youth department - full details on Rangers Lotto, Rising Stars, Scratchcards and other initiatives can be found at www.rydc.co.uk.