KEVIN THOMSON is confident there is plenty more to come from Greg Docherty after backing the midfielder to go from strength to strength for Rangers.
Docherty was the final signing of the January transfer window at Ibrox as he completed a switch from Hamilton on a four-and-a-half year deal.
He has made a solid start to life in Light Blue and has started to establish himself for Graeme Murty’s side in recent weeks.
Read more: Kevin Thomson: Rangers must forget Old Firm defeats ahead of Celtic cup showdown
And former Ibrox midfielder Thomson believes he could be a key player for the Gers going forward as he continues to improve.
He said: “I played against him when he was at Hamilton and I was up at Dundee.
“He was just breaking through at the time and he was a powerhouse of a boy. He gets about.
“It is hard when you come to a club like this because you get judged straight away, that is just the way it is and you have to accept that as a player.
“I think he will grow into the jersey, I think he will get better and better. He is the modern day midfielder, isn’t he?
“He gets around but I would like to see him add some goals to his game. I think he is more than capable and he notched a few for Hamilton. I think when he finds his stride here he will be a good asset for the club.”
Docherty has ten appearances for Rangers to his credit so far but the biggest game of his career is fast approaching as Murty’s side get set for their Scottish Cup semi-final showdown with Celtic.
The 21-year-old was unable to help the Light Blues to Old Firm victory on home soil as Celtic clinched a 3-2 win and all-but secured a seventh successive Premiership crown.
But Thomson hopes Docherty can rise to the occasion next time out as he looks to put up a better fight in the midfield battle with Parkhead captain Scott Brown.
Read more: Kevin Thomson: Rangers must forget Old Firm defeats ahead of Celtic cup showdown
He said: “There genuinely is nothing you can do to prepare for these games. They are just off the cuff and you have to deal with the moment, deal with the expectation that comes around the game.
“The more you play does it make you better in them? I would disagree because the games are always different.
“It is one that the boys have to put the disappointment of two weeks ago and look forward to the game to try and get where they want to get to.
“You need to get on top of him and he is there for everyone to shoot at when you are a top player.
“It was the same when I was at Hibs and Barry was here and you had to try and compete with the best players.
“Scott is right up the top of the three and it is a challenge for the current midfielders to try and rough him up.”
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