KENNY MILLER is gunning for another major milestone on Friday night as he seeks his 100th Rangers goal at the venue where he netted his first one as a fresh-faced youngster 16 years go.

The veteran striker, who has been crucial in the opening three matches of the season, is bidding to join such greats as Ally McCoist, Derek Johnstone, Mark Hateley, John Greig and Ralph Brand who are among 16 men who have achieved this feat since the Second World War.

It would be a fantastic achievement for the 36-year-old, who is in his third spell at Ibrox and scored a vital last-gasp winner against Motherwell last Saturday.

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However, more importantly Rangers crave a victory that will mean they will go into the first Old Firm game of the season on September 10 ahead of Celtic on points no matter what the Hoops do in the game of the weekend against Aberdeen on Saturday.

As a result of Celtic’s match against Partick Thistle being postponed due to their involvement in the International Champions Cup and the impeding international break, Rangers will go to Parkhead at least one point ahead if they can defeat Lee Clark’s side.

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Hateley is acutely aware of the significance and would welcome Miller joining him in the 100 club as part of a Rangers victory.

The former Rangers striker said: “To score 100 goals at any club is very hard, so it’s going to be a great milestone for Kenny.Glasgow Times: Rangers legend Mark Hateley is on hand as SPFL and league title sponsor Ladbrokes unveil the fixtures lists for the 2016/17 season. Picture: SNS

“Not that many reach that target these days because players don’t tend to stay at clubs for very long.

“Of course, Kenny is in his third spell at Rangers and that helps him but it does not diminish what he is about to do.

“We have seen in the last two games that there are still goals in Kenny. There he was last Saturday still going strong in injury time at the age of 36 to score the winner.

“His experience is vital, especially as Mark Warburton is constructing a younger side.

“Whether Kenny starts, comes on or even if he doesn’t play he can still have a big influence on the club in the dressing room.

“There is more competition now with the arrivals of Joe Garner and Joe Dodoo so Mark now has four strikers to choose from with Martyn Waghorn on the way back.

“It’s been a while since the club has had that healthy competition up front and that’s what keeps people focused and on their toes.

“Kenny will rise to that challenge. He will want to play every game and while he may play less than he did last year he will still have a massive role to play.”

Quirkily, it was at Rugby Park that Miller scored his first Rangers goal when he replaced Rod Wallace on August 5, 2000 and scored the third goal in a 4-2 over Bobby Williamson’s Kilmarnock after signing from Hibs for £2million.

He left Ibrox 18 months later unable to compete with the likes of Tore Andre Flo, Michael Mols and Ronald de Boer but returned in 2008 to explosive effect, having had the bravery to play for Celtic in the interim, and again in 2014 as a vastly experienced striker.

Hateley said: “It was always going to be difficult the first time because he was a young lad moving to Ibrox at a time when there were a lot of big names.

“His second period at the club was really productive and he scored the bulk of his goals in these three seasons when Rangers won the title each year.

“He came back a very experienced and more rounded player and of course he has been the same in this current spell.

“It will be a phenomenal achievement when he reaches this target and it wouldn’t surprise me if he hits it on Friday.”

Rangers have found it tough in their opening Premiership fixtures, coming back to draw 1-1 with Hamilton, holding on for a 2-1 victory over Dundee when they should have been out of sight and needing a late winner to overcome Motherwell 2-1 last Saturday.

Hateley knows they need to click into gear quickly and find a more consistent rhythm as Celtic are a more formidable force this season following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers as manager.

He said: “It’s game on in the Premiership. Rangers drew their first game of the season and everyone started saying that they couldn’t afford to drop any more.

“Celtic are very strong this year – far stronger than last year as they have a better manager in charge.

“They are the team to catch and the only way to do that is by winning games so the pressure is on.

“Rangers need to win in Kilmarnock to exert a little bit of pressure on Celtic who face Aberdeen the following day.

“But more importantly, it will mean they will go into the Old Firm game at Parkhead with a lead and that is a great confidence booster.”