FINALLY completing the journey from the bottom division of Scottish football to the top flight is the main objective for Mark Warburton and his players at Rangers this season.

But beating Premiership opposition to either the League Cup or the Scottish Cup would also be hugely significant for the Ibrox club in their continuing rehabilitation.

Mark Warburton’s side take on St. Johnstone in the third round of the League Cup at home this evening and hopes are high they can prevail and then go on and enjoy an extended run in the competition.

Having won his opening 11 competitive fixtures since taking charge in the summer – the best start enjoyed by any Rangers manager in history – Warburton is having an impossible job tempering the growing expectations of the fans.

The Englishman, though, accepts the huge demands which have been placed on him to succeed in Glasgow and has admitted he would like to repay the supporters for the backing they have given both him and his players with a cup victory.

“Winning a cup would be a big lift for the fans obviously,” he said. “The fan base has been magnificent. The players coming up from down south can’t believe the amount of attention they receive and the passion of the fans.

“It would be great to give them something back. Everyone knows what our targets are this season. It’s not rocket science what we have to achieve. If we can send the fans home happy that’s key for us.”

Warburton was careful not to dismiss the challenge presented by St. Johnstone despite the Perth club’s indifferent start to the 2015/16 campaign and the 2-1 defeat they slumped to against Kilmarnock on Saturday.

However, the former Brentford manager is confident that Rangers, who moved seven points clear at the top of the Championship table with a 2-1 win over Dumbarton away on Saturday, are performing well enough to claim the scalp of a Premiership club.

“In a very respectful way, you’d say their start has been mixed; two wins, two draws and four defeats,” he said.

“But we’ll be very respectful of the fact they’re a top six Premiership team, they’re winning trophies and have European experience. They’re no fools.

“They are a very good outfit and we have to be well prepared for that, but I think we are. We’re on a good run, we’re playing good football, we’re confident and we know we’re fit. So we’re looking forward to what will be another challenge for us.”

It will be interesting to see if St. Johnstone, a Premiership club, sit back and invite Rangers, their Championship rivals, onto them this evening or if the visitors take the game to their hosts.

“We’re not sure what they’re going to do,” said Warburton. “Are they going to play high as they did against Celtic? Or are they going to drop off and let us come and try to catch us on the counter?

“I don’t know we’ll find out tomorrow night at 7.15. All we can do is put forward the various scenarios and then react to them as they occur.”

With Martyn Waghorn, who Warburton signed along with James Tavernier from Wigan Athletic for a fee of around £400,000 in the summer, taking his tally for the season to 11 with a double at the weekend Rangers will certainly pose a goal threat.

The success enjoyed by the 25-year-old, who was once sold to Leicester City by Sunderland for a £3 million transfer fee, has not surprised his manager who predicted even greater things to come from his countryman.

“Martyn needed a run of games,” he said. “He suffered from his own success. At 19, he had moved to a Premier League club and sat on the bench. He needed a run of games and now he has got that he is showing what he can do.

“He has got eleven goals, six from the penalty spot, but he earns them. With the amount of chances he creates, he will get better and better, I have no doubt. He is a physical specimen, technically very proficient and he has a great attitude on the training ground. Normally he is the last in. I have no doubts Martyn will get better and better.”

Waghorn is not the only new Ibrox recruit to earn plaudits; Wes Foderingham, Andy Halliday, Jason Holt, Rob Kiernan, James Tavernier and Danny Wilson have all settled quickly and established themselves in the first team.

Warburton is confident he can keep his squad intact beyond this season – when they hope to be competing against the likes of Aberdeen, Celtic and Hearts for the Scottish title – despite the form they are displaying.

“Any goalscorer that’s scoring goals will alert people,” he said. “But our job is to make the environment here one that he (Waghorn) doesn’t want to leave.

“I’m delighted that the guys are buying houses and laying down roots. That’s really important for us. It’s a good sign. got to enjoy coming to work. We’ve got to make the sure the environment’s right and they’ve got to deliver the goods so that the fans and everyone else is happy. Right now the chemistry is really good and I’m delighted with that.

“They really do appreciate the stability. They’ve come here and they’re playing at Ibrox with a fantastic training ground and the adulation of the fans. (Gedion) Zelalem is saying that and he comes from Arsenal, but he can’t go for a loaf of bread without fans coming up to him. It’s fantastic for him.”

Rangers fans can pay at the gate in the Copland Road Stand up until the 7.15pm kick-off tonight. Tickets cost £18 for adults, £12 for concessions and £5 for juveniles.