IT was Nicky Clark's scoring instincts that won him his dream move to Rangers this summer, yet it will be patience that will be his greatest virtue now that he is there.

The striker was the top scorer in the Irn-Bru Second Division and collected a string of personal accolades last season as he won a league medal and a transfer to Ibrox but his first few weeks there seem certain to be frustrating.

Unlike other summer arrivals such as Steven Smith or Richard Foster, Clark is eligible to turn out as a trialist for Ally McCoist's side before he becomes officially registered as a Rangers player, once the club's registration embargo expires on September 1. His chances to impress will still be limited, however, with McCoist's team selection governed by SPFL rules and regulations.

Having missed out on the Ramsdens Cup victory over Albion Rovers on Sunday, his next chance to play will come when Rangers begin the league campaign against Brechin City on August 10. The striker is eager to make the most of any opportunity he is given.

"It is frustrating," Clark said. "Everyone wants to play in the first game of the season but I can understand why I didn't. I just need to keep my head down and work hard and when my time comes to play in the team I will be ready.

"I have not been suspended but imagine that is what it is like. It is like there is no end to the week, there is no bonus. I am looking forward to getting my first goal for Rangers, I am sure I will get it soon. It is hard that I can't play all the games but I will make sure that when the time comes I am ready.

"Over the whole of pre-season, he [McCoist] has been explaining it. It has been going on for a wee while now. We can only play two trialists in each of the games and it will be a mix in the first few games. We all understand how it will work. We just need to make sure we're ready."

Clark may not have been among those to feature nominally as a trialist against Rovers but can reflect that the players who did – Nicky Law and Jon Daly – made the most of their chance to shine in front of their new fans. Former Motherwell midfielder Law was particularly conspicuous as he scored twice in the first half, before David Templeton and Ian Black embellished the scoreline further.

Clark is sure the midfield firepower will prove to his benefit as he looks to repeat his 41-goal tally he accrued with Queen of the South last season. "He [Law] is a great player. He has got loads of energy, he can score goals, he creates chances," said Clark. "He is perfect for the boys like me in the team, he can create chances and put you through. It is not just Nicky, Lee Wallace crossed the ball into the box for Nicky's first goal [on Sunday] and he bombs up and down the wing all day.

"There are other boys in the squad like Lewis Macleod who can create chances so it is looking good. [Templeton] is a great player, he has got a trick in his locker as well. He goes by players really easily – well, it looks easy for him. We have got a lot of good players who will create chances for me and big Jon or whoever is playing up front.

"It is [important we win with style]. We have got a really good squad this year, the boys the manager has brought in have been great and you saw Nicky scoring the two goals [on Sunday]. We have got a good chance to go on and do really well this season and win the league comfortably, hopefully."

After a season in which McCoist and his players came under fire from supporters following a number of uncomfortable performances, there will be a far greater expectancy on how, and by how many, Rangers win matches this season. Allowances were made for some of the below-par performances last time out but after the arrival of eight new players and the completion of an encouraging pre-season schedule, there can be few excuses during the course of the SPFL League One campaign.

"The most important thing for any club is to win their league and now Alistair has assembled a bigger group of players which look more like a football squad," said Mark Hateley, the former Rangers striker. "It was hurriedly put together last season but this year they will look to win the league with a bit of style. There were glimpses last season when they beat Motherwell in the League Cup, but the performances were up and down and there was no consistency. That's what you get with a group thrown together."

Nicky Clark and Mark Hateley were speaking at the launch of 'Follow we will: The fall and rise of Rangers'. The book is available now, with all author proceeds going to the Rangers Charity Foundation