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Kenny Miller an ideal role model for Rangers kids, says Mark Warburton

Kenny Miller and Mark Warburton with January awards
Image: Kenny Miller and Mark Warburton with January awards

Rangers manager Mark Warburton says veteran striker Kenny Miller is the ideal role model for young players at the club.

The pair were named Scottish Championship manager and player of the month for January after the league leaders clocked up five successive victories during the period.

Miller, 36, scored five goals in that unbeaten run which lifted the Gers eight points clear of nearest challengers Hibs and Warburton is convinced there is more to come from the former Celtic striker.

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Rangers' Kenny Miller was awarded the Ladbrokes Championship Player of the Month for January as he scored five goals in five games

Speaking ahead of Saturday's Scottish Cup fifth-round tie against Kilmarnock - live on Sky Sports - the former City trader said: "I'm delighted with Kenny. I said to you right at the start when he entered his new contract that it wasn't a sympathy vote, it was a well-earned contract.

"His quality in training, his attitude in training is first class and he's a great role model to younger players. But you have to work hard for your contract and Kenny did that so I am delighted for him.

"He is still hungry to play and the younger players in our squad learn from him when they watch him train every day."

Rangers striker Kenny Miller (centre) scores away to Greenock Morton
Image: Miller bags one of his five January goals in victory over Morton

And Miller, who has been capped 68 times by Scotland, admits he has no intention of calling time on a glittering career which has seen him win league titles and Scottish Cups with both Glasgow clubs.

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Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ he said: "Since we lost to Falkirk just before Christmas we've managed to win seven games playing some fantastic stuff and scoring a lot of goals while keeping the back door shut.

"It's been good to get a run in the team as I've not really had many consecutive games of football. Obviously the team has been playing great, creating chances and now we are back to scoring goals."

Miller is looking forward to welcoming former team-mate Lee McCulloch back to Ibrox this weekend after he was handed the reins at Rugby Park following the departure of Gary Locke last weekend.

Lee McCulloch is unveiled as a player/coach at Kilmarnock after leaving Rangers.
Image: Lee McCulloch looking no further ahead than Ibrox on Saturday

McCulloch played over 200 games during an eight-year spell at Ibrox and Miller is confident he, and his team, will receive a warm welcome from the supporters this weekend.

He said: "It will be great to welcome Lee and the lads back. Stevie Smith and Kris Boyd are obviously former players too and I'm sure they'll all get a warm welcome.

"Obviously since the draw Lee has made the step up to the manager's role so I'm sure he's looking forward to the game. It's a fantastic opportunity for him.

"And coaching is something I have thought of myself. When Jig [McCulloch] was here we used to sit every morning talking about football - Lee Wallace and myself still do it now - and coaching is definitely something I want to go into.

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"But like I say, hopefully I still have a few years left as a player yet."

And McCulloch is refusing to look further than Saturday's match when asked if he would like to be considered for the role at Kilmarnock on a full-time basis.

The former Scotland midfielder, who moved to the Ayrshire club last summer, said: "It's been a stressful few days, put it that way. But I don't know, it's maybe too early in my short coaching, managerial career

"It's just all about the next couple of days, enjoying Saturday and then we'll take it from there. But what a first game to have. It will certainly be a great atmosphere."

While bookmakers have priced Warburton's side up as clear favourites, Killie striker Rory McKenzie says you don't have to look too far back to see how vulnerable they can be when faced with Premiership opposition.

Kilmarnock's Rory McKenzie celebrates his goal after his cross was deflected into the net
Image: Rory McKenzie - Rangers can be beaten

"Going by form, they are top of their league and we are second bottom of ours, so I would say Rangers have to be favourites," said the Scotland U21 international.

"But we are not scared. We have watched enough of Rangers this season to know they are a good team but we watched St Johnstone go there (won 3-1 in the League Cup last September) and if you go there with a game plan they can be beaten."

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