Saturday 17 December 2016 13:43, UK
Martyn Waghorn says he is desperate to lead the line for Rangers against Celtic after re-discovering his goalscoring touch.
The 26-year-old had not found the net in the Premiership since the opening day of the season until he scored twice to help his side secure victory against Hamilton on Friday night.
Waghorn was making his first start since mid-October in the 2-1 win over Hamilton Academical but is now determined to stay in Mark Warburton's plans for the visit of Brendan Rodgers' side to Ibrox on Hogmanay, live on Sky Sports 1 HD.
"Personally I am very pleased to get back in and get a couple of goals. It has been a long time coming so it was nice to be back and it was a good three points away from home," he said.
"I didn't necessarily have a point to prove but it was about staking my claim for my starting place in the team. It was nice to get in, do my job and take the three points home, which is the most important thing.
"I have done what I needed to do, played well, scored goals and technically that is what you need to do so I am pleased with my day's job but I need to get back working hard and try and keep my place in the team.
"The aim is to still be in the starting line-up come Celtic but that is up to me to keep my place, keep working hard, do my bits on the training pitch and when it comes to Saturday I have to do my job."
Waghorn's double against Hamilton ensured a third straight league win for Rangers and the striker says it is important to keep momentum going with vital Christmas fixtures coming before a month-long break from Premiership action.
"It was crucial to get that win tonight to keep the momentum going approaching a busy schedule," he said. "It is always nice to win games back-to-back and playing for Rangers you need to do that so it was important that we built on the two good performances that we produced at home.
"It would be nice to keep the winning run going, having a week or so off in January will be difficult but to get a good couple of wins and performances under our belt before then is key.
"It is positive that we go into the Christmas schedule off the back of a couple of good wins."
