ROB KIERNAN has targeted a challenge for a Champions League berth when Rangers return to Scotland’s top flight next season.

The Light Blues will play Premiership football once again after Mark Warburton’s side lifted the Championship title this term.

Having also clinched the Petrofac Training Cup with victory over Peterhead, the Gers have now set their sights on Scottish Cup glory when they face Hibernian next month.

That would see Warburton’s side embark on a Europa League campaign as well as launch a bid for the top flight title when the action resumes later this year.

And Kiernan is determined the Gers will be competing at the sharp end of the standings as he dreams of a spot amongst Europe’s top clubs as soon as possible.

He said: "Definitely, but in terms of next season it's going to be difficult.

"It's all right to perform against Celtic in a one-off game, but you have got to do that every week. I'm not saying we'll breeze it, but the Champions League is an aim and a realistic one.

"We have to have belief in ourselves, why can't we go and play in Europe? It's a challenge and you've got to challenge yourself."

After storming to the Championship crown and overcoming Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-finals, expectation levels have risen at Ibrox as fans target a top flight challenge next season.

Warburton has stressed that Celtic are still the ones to catch in Scotland as they close in on a fifth successive league flag before Ronny Deila quits Parkhead in the summer.

The Gers turned in their finest performance of the campaign to beat the Hoops at Hampden and Kiernan insists the champions are not far adrift of their Old Firm rivals.

He said: "They have international players of great quality, so if they get a manager in who wants to play the right way they are definitely going to be a big threat.

"It's going to be interesting. We're not there yet but we're hot on their heels."