SCOTT ARFIELD admits new Rangers recruits Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis have made an immediate impact at Ibrox this month.

Boss Steven Gerrard completed headline-grabbing deals for the Premier League pair as they moved on loan from Bournemouth and Southampton respectively.

Defoe and Davis were handed their debuts in the friendly with HJK Helsinki on Sunday and will line-up in a competitive clash for the first time against Kilmarnock this evening.

While Gers fans are well-versed in what Davis can do after a successful spell at Ibrox under Walter Smith, they are excited at the prospect of seeing Defoe in action this term.

Arfield said: “He’s brought a wealth of experience. You can see in training just how quick and sharp he is.

“The young centre-backs we’ve got haven’t played against someone like Defoe. His movement to get into positions others wouldn’t it, when he gets a shot he tends to score a goal.

“I could see from the first training session what an incredible career he’s had. It makes the young boys look to him and know what it takes to be as fit as 36.

“His body is immaculate, he lives his life so cleanly and the other players will see what level they need to be at.

“We have already seen what he can do behind closes doors and hopefully he can take that into games. It’s the same with Steven Davis; as soon as they step on a training pitch the level goes up a little bit. Good players can play with good players, and the hope is we can bring the best out of each other.

“I have always know what Jermain can do given the career he’s had. Up until he put on that Rangers jersey, he could still play in the Premier League and was always a great striker.”

Rangers make the trip to Rugby Park sitting just one point ahead of Steve Clarke’s side in the table after a superb start to the season from Kilmarnock.

It was in Ayrshire at the beginning of the campaign that winger Jamie Murphy suffered serious knee damage that could keep him out until the summer.

But Arfield insists there won’t be a fear factor for Rangers as they get back down to business in the top flight tonight.

He said: “It is a huge test for us, Kilmarnock have done unbelievably well, I don’t think anyone would have seen them this far up at this stage of the season.

“But they have consistently picked up results. We have played them twice and they have been two hard games so far.

“Personally I haven’t found that [it can take longer to recover after playing on a plastic pitch] but I can understand it because there are a few boys in there that do.

“You are not used to playing on it as consistently as the other teams and they know how it rolls and bobbles.

“Again, it is an obstacle we need to overcome. It is not ideal that we play two in a week but we are back up there and challenging so there is no point dropping points in these two games after the hard work that we put in.

“I don’t think [Jamie’s injury] can be in your mind. Obviously that was a shocker what happened for Jamie and for us but, as players, you can’t go with any hesitation or negativity into a tackle or when you are running or changing direction.

“You are taking away something from your game as well as the team. We are sorry for Jamie, but I don’t think it will be in anyone’s mind.”