Allan McGregor, the Rangers stopper, has forced himself back into first team contention after being dropped in September. He said in the Evening Times: "I think my character has been tested long before the last few weeks and I think I've proved before that I'm a strong character and that nothing really fazes me.

"I've had setbacks and I might have them in the future. I'm not going to change the way I am. I'll continue with the same attitude in training to show everyone what I'm about and hopefully that's enough to get back in the team.

"When the team went up and my name wasn't on it I was a wee bit surprised, but the gaffer spoke to me about it and everything is okay.

"I only played a couple of games before the Kaunas Champions League matches and maybe Neil should have continued playing until I was a lot fitter.

"But the manager made his decision, as he did again a few weeks ago, and I always just go with what the manager says and take things from there."

He added: "I've never really been any different. I've always worked hard and played in training the way I would in a game. That's got me where I am so why would I change it now?

"It was good to be back after three games without playing. I'd had a wee run out at Murray Park against Kilmarnock and it felt good. So it was great to get playing again in front of the fans although obviously the result was disappointing.

"Just to get back to playing first-team football and knowing that we need to win every game is a good feeling to have back. I didn't know when that chance was going to come again so that was hard, but I got my head down and got stuck in at training."