IT is the problem that shouldn't have been for Rangers but one that has plagued them throughout the campaign.

Goals win games and Rangers have not scored enough or won enough this season as they have been left in a fight for the Championship consolation prize rather than involved in a two-way battle with Hearts for the second tier crown.

There is not a Rangers player in the top ten in the Championship scoring charts, with Nicky Law the leading Ibrox marksman with nine league goals to his name.

The arrival of Haris Vuckic has added a much needed touch of quality and goal threat to the Gers attack, with the seven-goal Newcastle star the inspiration behind the recent resurgence under Stuart McCall.

If that run is to continue and Rangers are to clinch a top flight return, McCall will need goals from his forward line.

Here, SportTimes looks at how the strikers have fared and what impact they could have in the promotion battle.

KRIS BOYD

Games: 40

Goals: 10

The capture of Boyd was seen as the final piece in the jigsaw and the move that would take Rangers some way to the Championship title before a ball was kicked this term but it hasn't been a happy homecoming for the Scottish Premier League's all-time record scorer.

It took him until October before he finally netted in the Championship as found the target in the 6-1 win over Raith at Ibrox but the floodgates never opened.

The 31-year-old has been the target of stinging judgements from supporters but has often been his own harshest critic as he has failed to live up to expectations and get anywhere near the 20-plus goal target he had set for himself.

His chances under McCall in recent week have been limited and he was once again on the bench on Saturday as Ryan Hardie made his first start for the club.

Goals may have been hard to come by this season but he has the ability to get back to his free-scoring best and there is no reason why he can't finish the campaign on a high and still fire Rangers back to the top flight.

KENNY MILLER

Games: 33

Goals: 7

It has not been third time lucky for Miller at Ibrox. Reunited with Boyd after a four season separation, the former Scotland striker has struggled to roll back the years.

The fear for Rangers fans was that, at 35, Miller had peered over the precipice and was too far down the road towards retirement to make a real impact this season.

He has undoubtedly lost that electric turn of foot that made him into a hero for club and country but he has still stepped up to the plate when it has mattered, his goals against Hibernian and Hearts in recent weeks crucial to Rangers' play-off ambitions.

The partnership with Nicky Clark has shown signs of promise over the last few matches and Miller's experience will stand the Light Blues in good stead as they look to get over the finishing line.

NICKY CLARK

Games: 37

Goals: 8

The arrival of McCall at Ibrox has given Clark a new lease of life as he has been handed an extended run in the team and equipped himself well in recent weeks.

Four goals in his last eight games is a decent return but he has never looked like the player who scored more than 40 times for Queen of the South to win his move to Rangers two years ago.

His energy and work-rate have seen him emerge as a key part of the McCall plan but Clark has also missed his fair share of chances and can't be seen as a reliable scorer.

That is not to say he can't play a big part in the coming weeks, however.

He is clearly a player that McCall sees something in and rates highly enough to stick by so it wouldn't be a surprise to see Clark lead the Rangers charge towards the Premiership.

There would be no better time than the play-offs for the 23-year-old to silence the doubters amongst the Ibrox support and prove his worth.

JON DALY

Games: 28

Goals: 4

Rangers' top scorer as they cruised to the League One title last term, it has been a second season to forget for Daly at Ibrox.

After undergoing knee surgery in the summer and missing the important pre-season schedule, Daly has never got up to speed this term.

On his day, his physical presence makes him a match for any defensive line in the league but he has not been able to recapture the form that saw him net 21 times last term.

A knee injury has kept him out of action since the 2-2 draw with Alloa a month ago and, with his contract up at the end of the season, time is running out for the Irishman to make an impact at Ibrox.

DEAN SHIELS

Games: 23

Goals: 4

Undoubtedly capable of producing better than he has shown for most of his Rangers career, Shiels could yet play a key role for McCall's men this season.

The Northern Irishman has spent recent weeks in a deeper central midfield role but was deployed further forward, and often wide, by McCoist and Kenny McDowall earlier in the campaign.

Frequent changes in position and long spells out of the side mean he has never been able to get fully up to speed or hit a consistent run of form.

Another who has been rejuvenated by McCall's methods, Shiels has the quality to be central to Rangers' plans but faces a sizeable task to convince fans he is worthy of another chance.

RYAN HARDIE

Games: 5

Goals: 2

After a dream day at Dumbarton, it will be interesting to see if McCall sticks by Hardie for the visit of Falkirk this weekend.

The 18-year-old has always looked a prospect whenever he has been given a chance to impress and got his rewards at the Rock with a well taken double.

It would be a big call from his manager to put his faith in him in games of such importance in the coming weeks but it could be the making of the Ibrox kid.