Graham Dorrans can be a driving force for Rangers this term, says former Ibrox midfielder

The midfielder has struck four times in the opening weeks of the campaign as he has added his weight in the final third for Pedro Caixinha’s side.

After marking his Gers bow with a double against Motherwell on the opening day of the season, he rescued a point for the Light Blues against Partick Thistle.

Last time out, a cool penalty clinched the win as Rangers came from behind to see off Hamilton and record a crucial top flight triumph.

That performance against Accies was one of Dorrans’ most complete for his boyhood heroes and former Ibrox midfielder Russell hopes it was a sign of things to come this term.

Russell said: “He has got four goals so far and that is not a bad return from a midfield player. If he can keep that going then he will get double figures, which is good.

“You do need a quota of goals coming from other areas of the team and Graham is someone who can supply that.

“As a midfield player, I don’t think you set targets of how many goals you want to get in a season.

“That is more something for the strikers and the more advanced players to be regular goal threats and try and get a good number of goals.

“When you play in midfield, there are other demands on you in terms of breaking up the play and breaking down the opposition.

“So it is difficult to say ‘I am going to get 15 goals this season’ because you might not get that many chances if you are doing other jobs.

“Graham has got off to a good start and he is the penalty taker as well and that will give him chances to add to his tally as well.”

Dorrans realised his lifelong dream when he returned north of the border and signed on the dotted line at Ibrox this summer.

And he has quickly become an integral part of Caixinha’s blueprint as he looks to drive the Gers on from the middle of the park this term.

Russell said: “He was one of the better signings in my eyes. He has played at the highest level in England and he has played for Scotland as well.

“He is one that was always going to enhance the midfield area, although I was a wee bit disappointed with him in the Old Firm game. I think he would be the first to admit that himself.

“He didn’t get a lot of help but I was expecting a bit more from him in that game.

“Overall, he has played well and he has scored goals so he can have a big impact in that midfield area.”

It is fellow summer recruit Ryan Jack that Dorrans has spent most of his time alongside so far this term as Caixinha has utilised a 4-4-2 system in the Premiership.

The former Aberdeen captain will miss the trip to McDiarmid Park on Friday after being sent off against Hamilton.

But Russell reckons Caixinha has a ready-made replacement within his ranks as he prepares for the St Johnstone showdown.

He said: “I know Jason Holt is not a sitting playing but he is very mobile and he gets into good positions. He has his own qualities, although he is a different type of player.

“I think he could certainly go in there and do a job. He has shown that he is more than capable.”

Rangers will return to action with a spring in their step after they recovered from their Old Firm reverse with a battling victory over Accies.

The spotlight is still shining brightly on boss Caixinha after a mixed start to the campaign and Russell knows the upcoming fixtures are crucial for the Light Blues.

He said: “It is imperative that they put a run of wins together now over the next few weeks.

“Celtic dropped two points and Rangers pulled something back so they are six behind now rather than eight.

“They need to go on a run, go seven or eight games undefeated, and if Celtic slip-up or Aberdeen slip-up then the gaps there get even smaller.

“Right now it is important that it doesn’t get any bigger than six and if they can lessen it a bit then all the better.

“It wasn’t looking great when Celtic when eight ahead but there is an incentive there for Rangers to go on a run now and hopefully they can do that.”