Neraysho Kasanwirjo has revealed the advice that Ibrox father figure James Tavernier gave him before the weekend win over St Mirren.

The Dutchman replaced Tavernier at right-back for the Premiership fixture as he was handed a rare start and given a chance to impress by boss Philippe Clement. It was an opportunity that Kasanwirjo made the most of as he produced a solid showing to play his part in a crucial 2-1 win that keeps Rangers six points adrift at the top of the table.

Clement has utilised Kasanwirjo and Tavernier in the same team on a couple of occasions this term. Indeed, when the skipper was introduced on Sunday it was Robin Propper that he replaced as Kasanwirjo switched to a centre-half berth.

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The debate over Tavernier’s place in the team has been a constant during a difficult start to the campaign at Ibrox and will no doubt continue in the coming weeks and months. The man who could take over his slot is thankful for his influence, though, as Clement prepares to make a decision over the right-back position ahead of the trip to Pittodrie on Wednesday evening.

"Yeah, he came before,” Kasanwirjo said when asked if Tavernier had spoken to him ahead of kick-off at Ibrox. “Before the game to me, he said ‘just enjoy the game.’ he quality you can play. He said to me don't look at it like I replaced James Tavernier, just play for the team. And he said ‘just enjoy.’

"Yeah, I think [it helped] a lot. Everybody speak with me, speak with other guys. He's the father of the team. So it's good for the young boys to have somebody like this.

"Yeah, of course [I enjoy my role]. I think I played before this. Played a lot of games already, but now just competing with everybody on the team to make minutes and make the good impression.

"Yeah, I want to start every week, but it is up to the coach and up to me how I train to give the best impression of myself what I said before. And look day by day, how it is was going."

Rangers will head to Pittodrie for a fixture that will shape the narrative around Clement and his side for the foreseeable future. A mixed start to the season leaves Rangers off the pace of the Dons and falling further behind would ramp up the pressure on Clement as he continues to work with his newly assembled squad against a backdrop of uncertainty at Ibrox.

Goals in either half from Mohamed Diomande and Vaclav Cerny were enough to edge a tight encounter against the Buddies on Sunday. Now Rangers must raise their levels once again for a defining double-header against Aberdeen and Motherwell in the League Cup semi-final.

"Yeah, of course, every game is a fight, not only Aberdeen, but for example, this game was a fight as well,” Kasanwirjo said. "You see, we didn't win that easy. We have to compete every day, every day, every day, training as well.

"I think every game is a massive game. This game, last Thursday, Wednesday, the Sunday again.  So we have to compete every day."

“It is only about us. We have to play good. We have to do things. And what I said before, every game is a massive game, not only Aberdeen. So we look game by game. Sunday was the game against St Mirren. Wednesday is Aberdeen where we have to compete again.

"Every week is important. What I said before, every game is a big game, every week is a big week, and we need to look day by day, game by game, week by week, and it's about us."