MARCO NEGRI, the former Rangers striker, hopes Martyn Waghorn can surpass his Ibrox scoring streak and help Mark Warburton’s side clinch the Championship title this season. Waghorn took his tally for the campaign to 14 goals with a hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Morton on Sunday as Rangers moved nine points clear at the top of the second tier standings.

Negri famously stormed the scoring charts during his first few months at Ibrox as he netted 33 goals in 26 matches before the turn of the year. He would eventually finish the campaign with 36 strikes from 39 games before his dramatic fall from grace as he lost his form and suffered a series of injury setbacks.

Waghorn has a chance of bettering the Italian’s remarkable scoring feats and the former Gers forward would be delighted to see the 25-year-old stay on the goal trail this term.

“I hope he can beat it, if it means that Rangers will win the league as a result,” Negri told Herald Sport. “It is important that they win the title and get back to the top league this season.

“If I had any advice for Martyn, I would tell him to remember that he must continue training in the right way and to take nothing for granted. You are building your confidence every day in training. You can’t think about the number of goals, you have to go into every game looking to do your best on the pitch. You have to focus on being in the right place at the right moment and if you do that then you will continue to score goals.

“During a season, you can have a lot of games where you will score a lot of goals and then you can have some where you don’t score. You can’t score in every game. All you can do is focus, train right and continue doing your job. A striker helps the team with goals, of course, but you have to remember it is important to help his team-mates.”

The form of Waghorn, who joined Rangers from Wigan Athletic in the summer, has been key for Warburton’s side so far this season. Goals have not proven hard to come by for Rangers as they have already opened up a considerable lead in the Championship title race, and Negri reckons there is plenty more to come from a striker and team that are well in the scoring groove.

“When you start the season the right way and you are scoring goals, your confidence is very, very high,” Negri said. “When you are on the pitch, you are always thinking you are doing the right movement, you think that every shot you take will be a goal. Confidence is the first thing you need.

“Rangers right now are playing great football, a great passing game. Martyn is working very hard for the team and he knows that he will get a lot of chances to score. It is the perfect match because you are giving your all and you know that there will be something for you in return.”