JON DALY has vowed to justify Kenny McDowall's faith in him and keep fellow-striker Kris Boyd out of the Rangers team.

Daly was given the nod to start up front ahead of Boyd by Rangers caretaker manager Kenny McDowall against Dumbarton earlier this month.

The former Dundee United player grasped his opportunity with both hands by netting the opening goal - just his fourth of a difficult 2014/15 campaign - in a 3-1 win.

The 31-year-old then set up Nicky Law for his goal in the 1-0 win over Alloa, and is hoping that he has done enough to feature against Hearts at Ibrox this evening.

He said: "It has been a hard season for me. But I knew I had a fight on my hands to get into the side in the summer when Kris and Kenny Miller arrived. We have got a lot of good strikers at the club now and you have to make sure that you do well and take your chance whenever you get on the pitch.

"A club the size of Rangers should have competition for places up front, especially, so I welcome the challenge to get into the side.

"My season didn't get off to the best of starts when I had to undergo an operation, but I am fit now and am hopeful of doing well in the second half of the season.

"There is a lot still to play for. We are still in two cup competitions and we have not given up on winning the league, even though Hearts have a comfortable lead.

"We have had a few disappointing results recently, but we are all optimistic that we can go on the sort of winning run we went on earlier in the season and give ourselves a chance."

Meanwhile, Daly has backed his Gers team-mate Stevie Smith, who set up the two opening goals against Dumbarton, to hold down the left-midfield berth on a regular basis.

There is a place on the left side of midfield up for grabs in the Rangers team just now following the sale of Lewis Macleod to English Championship club Brentford.

Smith's favoured position is at left-back - but the 29-year-old has played further up the pitch regularly during his career and is comfortable playing there.

Daly said: "There is a vacancy in the side at the moment with Lewis leaving and I don't think Stevie did his chances any harm with his performance against Dumbarton.

"I have said to Smudger a few times that I do like to play up front when he is out on the left side because I know that when he gets the ball he is going to put it into the box.

"And it isn't just a hopeful ball either. It is a good-quality ball that he puts in. They are always good balls for strikers to attack.

"That was certainly the case last weekend against Dumbarton. I managed to bundle it over the line with my chest. He also played a nice little ball in to Lee Wallace for his goal as well.

"Obviously it is a loss for the team for Lewis to leave. But Smudger is a very experienced player and he brings a great deal to the team whenever he gets a start and will do a good job for us."