Give me 100% or get out

around footballers for a long time. I’ll work out quickly who fancies this challenge and who wants to come with me.

“If people don’t fancy it and want to be somewhere else, good luck to them. If you’re not hungry, you shouldn’t be at Rangers – it’s as simple as that.

“I want a team that’s full of fight and passion. Players prepared to empty the tank.

“I’ll assess them. Whether it’s a session, a day, a week or a month, I’ll work it out quickly.

“I want players to be with me on this journey and willing to give it everything they’ve got.

“That’s the simple message. And I’ll work out who those people are without delay.”

Hamburg-bound David Bates grabbed a late winner for Gers in what will be his last match at Ibrox. It was Rangers’ first win over Killie this season and keeps them in the fight to finish second in the league after Aberdeen held Hibs to a 0-0 draw at Pittodrie.

Rangers travel to face Dons on Tuesday night.

Nicholl had his players well warned they were playing for more than pride after the 5-0 rout by the Hoops last week.

He said: “I asked for a response and we got it. It wasn’t just the win – if they hadn’t gone about the job with urgency and determination I’d have been disappointed.

“They owed it to the club and the supporters.

“The way we lost the two games against Celtic wasn’t great so they restored a bit of pride.”

The performance cheered Nicholl after a turbulent week at Ibrox following Graeme Murty’s sacking.

He said: “Aberdeen will say it’s in their hands, we’re saying it’s in ours. We have to go there and get a result on Tuesday.

“But I saw enough today to suggest the players want to do it. I was a bit concerned. It’s not been a great week.” Ross McCrorie struggled against Celtic but his appearance as a half-time sub and midfield anchor completely turned the tide in Rangers’ favour.