IT was perhaps fitting that Ibrox was the venue for this year's X Factor auditions earlier in the week.

The grand old ground has grown accustomed to the ear-shattering din of shrieking, wailing, bawling and howling, after all.

A turbulent season for Rangers has contained more bum notes than Jeanette from Cardonald croaking her way through an appalling rendition of Wind Beneath My Wings in front of the dismayed judges but, as the SPFL Championship campaign draws to a close, things are slightly more in tune for the Glasgow club.

Rangers bring the regular league season to a close next weekend with a trip to title winners Hearts. Now certain to finish at least third, they will need to win and hope Hibernian lose at Falkirk if they are to move up to second, but the play-offs nonetheless beckon for Stuart McCall's men, as they look to move up Scottish football's hit parade.

After a shaky start to his tenure, with draws against Livingston and Alloa Athletic, McCall has watched his improving side reignite their challenge for the runners-up spot with a decent run of results that has included victories over both Hearts and Hibs.

The outcome of the play-offs is in the lap of the footballing gods, of course, but you probably have more chance of predicting those results than you would have of correctly forecasting where McCall will be next season.

Like a Sports Direct plastic bag caught in a stiff breeze, it's still all up in the air, but these last few weeks have given McCall a sense of purpose and ambition.

"Having had a taste of it, I definitely feel I'm capable of doing a job here and I feel I could do well," said the 50-year-old. "I love coming to work here and I enjoy what we're doing.

"I knew it was a gamble and a challenge when I came in but I'm relishing every minute of it. I haven't really thought about my own future, I just want to concentrate on the Hearts game and then the play-offs. There are no guarantees for me even if we go up. It's not the case that if we go up, I'll stay and if we don't, I'll go."

McCall will in the meantime continue to beaver away for the greater cause. "Agents have been on about players and I'll be making a dossier of positions which need strengthening," he added. "That's whether I'm here or not. Because even if I'm not, I naturally want what's best for the club."

Securing second place would ensure Rangers go straight into the play-off semi-final. With players' legs becoming increasingly weary at this time of the season, the chance to bypass two extra games, against fourth-placed Queen of the South, would be gratefully welcomed.

Nicky Clark, though, is delighted to be playing. "A lot of the boys have played a lot of games this season and I have just come in for the latter part so I am fresh," said Clark, who has found favour again under the McCall regime and has scored four goals in the period since the temporary boss took charge. I was given a chance when the new gaffer came in and I took it. He has been able to give me confidence which is a big thing in football."

McCall said: "The things that stand out with Nicky are his energy, his desire and his willingness. He's a team player who chips in with goals. He's a dream for a manager because you know what you're going to get from him.

"He will run himself into the ground and make it difficult for defenders. I've been really pleased with him. He's doing well at the moment and if he keeps his focus and hunger, he can go far."

Just how far? Both McCall and Clark will hoping it will be at least the Scottish Premiership next season.