Miller in no mood to give up his place

RANGERS striker Kenny Miller last night warned any Ibrox summer signings they face a ferocious battle to oust him from Pedro Caixinha’s starting line-up. The veteran forward grabbed his 14th goal of the season in yesterday’s 2-1 win at St Johnstone. Caixinha hopes to overhaul his squad but Miller, who will turn 38 in December, feels he can be even more potent next season. ‘Do I still see myself as a first pick in the Rangers team? Why not? I’ve finished the season strongly,’ he said. ‘I have just played three 90 minutes in a week and I feel brand new. ‘There is no way I am going to settle for sitting watching football when I feel I have a lot to offer. ‘A club like this is always going to sign players but I have been in this position many times before. ‘If we sign a player in my position, it is up to them to come and be better than me. ‘I’m always critical of myself and I could have scored another three or four this season. ‘The one that sticks out is a chance against Celtic at Ibrox (on Hogmanay) when I should have buried it and got us a point. ‘There were others and I could have ended the season on 17 goals. ‘So there’s no reason why I can’t go on and be better next season.’ Caixinha has spoken openly of his admiration for Aberdeen’s out-of-contract captain Ryan Jack and for Portugal centre-half Bruno Alves. ‘There have been some decent names mentioned and ones that definitely get the lads excited,’ said Miller. ‘But there have been about 40 names so far. ‘At a club like this, you need competition and you need to be challenged. ‘We put trust in the manager but there is no doubt it is key to get the right number in, the right quality and the right characters. If we get that, we will be okay.’