GRAEME MURTY reckons Rangers fans will take striker Jason Cummings to their hearts as he gets set to make his Ibrox bow tonight.

The 22-year-old completed a loan deal from Nottingham Forest last week and is available for selection for the Gers’ clash with Aberdeen.

Cummings became a cult hero with the Easter Road crowd as he emerged through the Hibernian ranks before his summer switch to the City Ground.

Read more: It takes a certain type of character to play for Rangers - and I have it, says Ibrox striker Jason Cummings

And Light Blues boss Murty believes he has all the characteristics to make a name for himself in the second half of the campaign.

Murty said: “He has an inner core of cockiness and confidence. He’s here to perform, to make a statement and not just to make up the numbers.

“It’s great for us and he has added something, as have all the guys who have come into the group. I’m really impressed with what I’ve seen so far.

“I’ve heard a lot of stories but he’s a young man who’s desperate to do well in football. He just loves life, you work a lot of time in your life with people who find things difficult, they struggle to bring energy and enthusiasm into their day but he’s like a ray of sunshine - happy, jokey, cordial and funny and he can give out stick, but he takes it really well.

“He has added to the ambience around the place and the atmosphere in training is good, nice and bright.

“You can see him being someone who is taken into the hearts of the fans. He’s not someone who is going to wilt if he misses a chance, he’s someone who will roll his sleeves up and demand another one.

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“Everything I’ve seen about him this week has indicated a player who is desperate to come in here and impress and do well. We hope to give him the platform.”

After seeing their Scottish Cup clash with Fraserburgh postponed on Sunday, Rangers will finally return to action after the winter break against the Dons.

But Murty is in two minds over whether to hand Cummings a start in the eagerly anticipated showdown with Derek McInnes’ side.

He said: “We have to be respectful to the group, as well as Jason. If I asked him are you ready to start, the first words out of his mouth would be, ‘Aye, I’m ready to start - just throw me in, I’m ready to go’.

“I have to make a decision because we now have competition, depth and variety in our group and it’s up to our players to make me pick them.

“That’s fantastic and if they are in possession of the shirt they know they must perform damn well because there are people behind them chomping at the bit to take their place in the team.”