MARTYN WAGHORN is confident Rangers can meet the demands of an expectant Ibrox crowd and put their recent Championship slip-ups behind them this afternoon.

Mark Warburton’s side have seen their advantage over Hibernian in the title race cut to just goal difference over the last few weeks after a 2-1 defeat at Easter Road and 1-1 draw with Livingston.

The Light Blues have found the going tougher in recent times as teams have set out to stop them in their tracks and stifle their attacking intentions after a superb start to the campaign.

Glasgow Times: 21/11/15 LADBROKES CHAMPIONSHIP LIVINGSTON v RANGERS TONY MACARONI STADIUM - LIVINGSTON Rangers' Martyn Waghorn cuts a dejected figure (46998326)

As always, the spotlight is firmly fixed on Ibrox and striker Waghorn, one of Rangers’ key performers with 17 goals to his name so far this term, knows Warburton’s side need to keep their standards high to stave off criticism from a number of quarters.

He said: “In the grand scheme of things it’s only one loss and one draw and yet it’s caught on that we are having a bit of a blip or a slump, or whatever.

“It’s football, we’re not going to win every single game. It would have been nice to do that but teams are making it more difficult.

“The way they are sitting in, they are more compact and their defences are more difficult to break down and it is up to us to find ways to do that.

Glasgow Times: 21/11/15 LADBROKES CHAMPIONSHIP . LIVINGSTON v RANGERS . TONY MACARONI STADIUM - LIVINGSTON . Rangers' Martyn Waghorn (2nd from right) is closed down by Declan Gallagher. (46970202)

“It’s been a couple of tough games but it is one of those things; it was always going to happen.

“It is how we bounce back and maybe playing in the cup on Saturday is a bit of a distraction from the league, one game for one cup final. It is one of those things we are just going to have to deal with.

“It’s Rangers Football Club, you are going to get it from the outside that you are expected to win week in, week out. To be fair, so do we.

“We believe in ourselves, our qualities, and back ourselves to go out there and win week in, week out.

Glasgow Times: Rangers need a big striker who can link up with Martyn Waghorn (right)

“When we don’t win we feel as disappointed as anyone. Saturday felt like a loss.

“We take it to heart and we are working day in, day out to put it right. We take that very seriously.”

After dropping points for only the second time in the Championship last weekend, Rangers will take a break from league duty this afternoon as they bid for a Petrofac Training Cup final berth.

Second tier rivals St Mirren stand in their way at Ibrox as Warburton’s side look to set up a potential Hampden meeting with Peterhead.

Glasgow Times: 26/11/15 RANGERS TRAINING MURRAY PARK - GLASGOW Rangers' Martyn Waghorn is all smiles at training (47735869)

And Waghorn is determined to go all the way and lift the silverware this season as Rangers attempt to win the competition at the fourth, and they hope final, time of asking.

He said: "Yes, definitely [it would mean a lot]. It's something that I am desperate to do, it's why I came to Rangers.

“I want to win trophies, leagues and be competitive at the highest level. I want to win as much as I can while I am here.

“I'm enjoying it, it's a new challenge and to play at Hampden Park - something I've never done and something many players won't have done, would be great.

Glasgow Times: Martyn Waghorn previews Rangers' Petrofac Training Cup Semi-Final fixture against St Mirren today

"I didn't really know much about [the cup] to be honest, until I came here. It's a trophy at the end of the day which you can put on your CV.

“It's something I want to win and I want to be part of a team that has won a trophy - which will hopefully be the first of many."