IT is a feeling Nicky Clark has not experienced for a couple of years, but one he is keen to rediscover. It is also one that Martyn Waghorn is enjoying at present.
The Englishman is a man in the groove, a forward playing with confidence, as he has hit the goal trail in the opening weeks of the campaign, his 14 strikes coming in just 13 games. The form of Waghorn has been one of the most pleasing factors of the opening few weeks of the campaign for Mark Warburton, the Rangers manager. For Clark, it is a benchmark and a challenge.
The 24-year-old will look to earn a place in Warburton’s squad for the visit of Falkirk this afternoon after recovering from a foot injury, but ousting Rangers’ main source of goals from a starting berth could prove a considerably more difficult task. Clark knows how his strike partner feels at present having been in a similar run of form for Queen of the South two years ago.
He would end the campaign with 38 goals as the Doonhamers won the Second Division title in what was to prove his most prolific season to date, and he is pleased to see Waghorn enjoying a profitable run in the final third.
“Waggy is doing brilliantly, it’s not just his goals but his overall performances have been great for the team,” Clark said. “It’s a hard position he plays, but he’s been doing great. As a strike it’s goals you rely on and he has been doing great recently. I’m delighted for him. He’s a confident lad, which comes from goals and hopefully he goes on and bags a few goals on Saturday.
“There’s no better feeling than the feeling you’re going to score in every single game and I’m sure Waggy has got that just now. Hopefully he does it on Saturday and if I get a chance soon I’ll be able to do it as well.”
It is Waghorn who will lead the Rangers forward line this afternoon as Warburton’s side look to extend their advantage over the Bairns to 12 points at the top of the Championship table. It is a chance for Rangers to take another step towards promotion and the Premiership, and an opportunity for Clark to continue on his own road to recovery after several weeks out of action.
“It was very frustrating,” Clark said. “I didn’t think it was anything too serious at the time and then before you know it I was out for three-and-a-half weeks and missed four games. Back training with the boys now. It’s still good the boys have been going on, scoring goals and winning well.
“The gaffer has said the squad he has is the squad he wants to be involved and he gives everyone their chance, rotating the squad quite a lot and that’s great.”
If Rangers can make it nine from nine in the Championship this afternoon, it will be another statement of intent from Warburton’s side as they bid to clinch the title as soon as possible. The prospect of a promotion party as soon as February has been played down by Warburton, and the Ibrox squad will adopt a similar mantra as they look to continue their relentless league form.
“We take every game as it comes so Falkirk is the one we’re preparing for now,” Clark said. “Each game as it comes, that’s all we can take care of first before we start thinking about anything in the future.”
*Supporters can take advantage of a 25% off season ticket offer with prices starting from as little as £197* for adults, £157* concessions and £39* for kids in the Club Deck and Family Section. Tickets are valid from the Rangers v Falkirk game at Ibrox on Saturday, 3 October and are available online at www.rangers.co.uk, calling the Ticket Hotline on 0871 702 1972* or visiting the Rangers Ticket Centre.
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