KIRK BROADFOOT says he doesn't feel any extra pressure despite having £9million boots to fill at Rangers.

The former St Mirren skipper has slotted in well at right-back after Alan Hutton's January exit to Spurs.

Given the way Hutton had been performing up until his move to London, it was always going to be a stiff task for Broadfoot to step in.

But he certainly hasn't let boss Walter Smith down and revealed: "No, I don't really feel any extra pressure filling Alan's place.

"I've not thought about it, I've just come in and tried to do my best for Rangers. I have confidence in my own ability and I'll just keep working hard and keep the head down.

"I don't think there was a better player than Alan in the first half of the season. His pace and power was unbelievable and I was delighted he won his first medal at Spurs last weekend.

"But you can't concern yourself with the fact that you are playing in a position where someone has just left for £9m. I have to try and make a name for myself.

"The bottom line is that with the players we have bursting to get into the team, if you are not showing the gaffer you can do the job then you are going to be out."

The 23-year-old conceded that he found life tough when he was left out in the cold by Smith, but says there was no way he would ever give up on his Ibrox dream.

After playing in a few games at the start of the season he drifted out of the picture and that, he says, made life on the outside looking in even worse.

"I got a wee taste at the start, so it was tougher," he added. "I won't kid on about that. But it was a dream of mine to come to Rangers, and there was no way I would give up on that after six months, or even a year.

"To be fair you never feel out of things here. Guys like Barry Ferguson and Davie Weir always make you feel a part of it, and we win as a team and lose as a team here.

"I actually spoke to big Davie a lot. He was a great help and told me to keep plugging away and wait for my chance, which has come thankfully. Now I have to take it."

Broadfoot faces a fight to keep his place tonight at Tynecastle with both Steven Whittaker and Sasa Papac fit and available again.

But he's loving the four- pronged assault on silverware - a year on from fighting relegation with the Buddies.

"I don't think many people expected us to still be going on four fronts, but we're determined to win as much as we can," he added. "It is a different pressure from a year ago when St Mirren were fighting to stay in SPL. But I'd rather have the pressure of trying to win the Championship and European matches.

"Tonight is just another big match for us. Hearts are a good side, but we need the points."