David Healy says he is determined to stay at Rangers and fight for his place in the team.

Since Healy joined the Glasgow giants in January 2011 first-team appearances have been few and far between, but lately he has been on Ally McCoist's team sheet and crucially he has also found the net twice in the club's last three games.

Rangers have had injuries in attack to deal with — including a lengthy absence for Healy's compatriot Kyle Lafferty — giving the Killyleagh man a chance to show what he can do.

“I was part of a squad that won the SPL title and League Cup last season, but I was disappointed not to have played more games,” said former Manchester United, Fulham and Sunderland ace Healy.

“Now though I am in the team and determined to hold down a place.

“The manager might sign other players in January, making competition tougher, but if I can keep scoring and playing well I'll give him something to think about.”

It's often been stated that Healy should move on to play more regular football, but he isn’t prepared to give up on the club he cheered on as a kid yet.

“People say to me why don't I leave and play at a lower level in order to get games, but I'm at Rangers and want to make a go of it here,” declares Healy, who laughed off recent stories in Scotland linking him with a move to China.

“I almost signed for this club when I was 13 or 14, but decided to go to Manchester United instead. It was always a dream of mine to play for Rangers, so when I got the chance to come here all those years later I had to take it.

“I'm not going to walk out now before trying all I can to be a success.

“I want to help Rangers win more trophies this season. It's a great title race with us and Celtic at the moment and I genuinely believe I can make a valuable contribution.”

Tomorrow Healy will hope to impress for second placed Rangers when they host Aberdeen, while Neil Lennon's Celtic, who are two points clear at the top of the SPL, travel to St Mirren.