Waghorn’s big push to impress new boss Pedro
MARTYN WAGHORN admits the arrival of Pedro Caixinha at Rangers has placed him on trial.
The Englishman fully intends to meet the challenge by not only earning a new contract from the Portuguese boss but a chance to shine in his favoured position as a central striker.
Waghorn enjoyed a strong start to his Rangers career under Mark Warburton but has appeared jaded this term and talks over a new deal have drifted into an impasse.
Negotiations will remain on ice as Caixinha assesses his new group of players but Waghorn intends to push himself to the fore.
‘Everyone has two months to show what they can do,’ he said. ‘We are all kind of on trial but we also have to focus on the job in hand, which is to get second place and win the Scottish Cup.
‘I have always said I would like to extend my contract and be here for a long time. I am going to give my all over the next few weeks to hopefully get that sorted.
‘I have another year, so we have plenty of time left. There’s no rush.’
Warburton regularly deployed Waghorn wide in a front three and, consequently, the player feels he has never quite maximised his potential in a Rangers shirt.
Last weekend, he got a taste of playing centrally against Celtic for caretaker Graeme Murty and, although he saw two great opportunities to score thwarted by his former Sunderland team-mate Craig Gordon, he revelled in the experience.
‘I knew what Craig was capable of from Sunderland,’ he said. ‘Sometimes you just have to say well done.
‘I could have done better with the first one. The second he’s come out quick. On another day, both might have gone in.’
Waghorn, who was selected as the central striker and scored from the spot in yesterday’s 4-0 home win over Hamilton Accies, admits that, regardless of where he plays, his game needs refinement.
‘My natural position is as a striker,’ he said. ‘It’s up to the manager where I play but I feel I can be most prolific as a striker. That’s my best position. If I get a run in the middle, hopefully I can put in some good performances.
‘If I’m to play wide, I’ve still got a lot to learn. You don’t have your back to play as much as when you’re a nine. You can get the ball, turn and run at the defence.
‘But I have to adapt my game. Wherever he wants me to play, I’m more than happy.’