Naismith expects more from Rangers

Steven Naismith has warned Rangers they will have to be on top form for the remainder of the season after admitting the teams outside the Old Firm are now posing more of a challenge. The Scottish champions scraped a 1-0 win at Aberdeen on Wednesday night to keep the pressure on rivals Celtic, who have a two-point advantage at the summit. Rangers host St Mirren in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League on Saturday, allowing them to move into pole position with a win, while Celtic are on Scottish Cup duty. "I think this year the gap between the Old Firm and the other teams is definitely shorter,"said Naismith. "Hearts and Dundee United and teams like that will come and have a go at you." He added: "We saw a couple of weeks ago that Dundee United came at us, they didn't play for a draw and they won the game. Every game is definitely going to be tough in terms of dropping points and we've just got to be on top of our game to not drop points." Naismith is the only Rangers player to make the short-list for PFA Scotland player of the year. He is up against Kilmarnock's Alexei Eremenko and Celtic duo Gary Hooper and Emilio Izaguirre. Naismith said: "I think it is more even and there are a few players who have come into the league who have lit the league up this season. Eremenko, for one, has been a breath of fresh air. "Celtic have bought a few players and it's not surprising that a couple of them are here so it shows that the league is much tighter and we are possibly going in the right direction." Meanwhile, Eremenko - on loan at Kilmarnock from Metalist Kharkiv - has expressed an interest in joining one of the Old Firm clubs at the end of the season. He said: "I've been here for one year and if I was staying in Glasgow, it means I would not have to pack my bags and not have to move because I have so many clothes. I wouldn't have to change apartments so it would be a really good thing. I'll see what happens. "If we are talking about Celtic, they have plenty of players and it would be more difficult there. Rangers, I don't know what's happening at Rangers now. I said to the people who are taking care of my situation that I want everything to be clear before the end of the season."

Source: PA