Mark Warburton refuses to predict whether Rangers striker Martyn Waghorn will surpass last season’s goals tally

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Waghorn was sensational for Warburton’s Glasgow Rangers side during his first season at Ibrox.

Rangers manager Mark Warburton with Martyn Waghorn

Mark Warburton has refused to predict whether Martyn Waghorn will go on and surpass last season’s goals tally for Rangers, but insisted that the striker has the ability to bag plenty this term, the Evening Times reports.

The 26-year-old was in stunning form during his first campaign at Ibrox, ultimately scoring 28 goals in all competitions to help the Light Blues secure promotion back to the top flight, and enjoy solid runs in the Challenge Cup and Scottish Cup.

But despite starting the new season with two goals in as many games for the Gers – as they have got their League Cup campaign underway with back-to-back 2-0 victories – Warburton has refused to get carried away with what the former Sunderland man could achieve.

“I’m not going to turn round and give a headline that he’ll score 30 goals but Waggy has come into the squad on Saturday and showed his desire and scored again,” he told the Evening Times.

“Two games and two goals, so it’s a great start but he knows it’s a different level in terms of quality defenders. But he is a good player and I’m sure he will score a few this season.”

Though some may look at the step-up in quality as a reason why Waghorn would do amazingly well to go past his tally from last year, there are a few factors which suggest that it is entirely possible.

Firstly, he missed over two months towards the end of last season due to injury. That spell on the sidelines was surely the only reason that he was unable to pass the 30 mark.

Also, the signings that Warburton has made during the summer window have arguably improved the quality within the squad dramatically. That improvement should mean that the likes of Waghorn, Kenny Miller and latest signing Joe Dodoo have more than enough service to work off, and should ultimately give Waghorn the opportunities he needs to replicate last season’s form.