KRIS BOYD is adamant there is no way he will quit Rangers as he battles for a return to Walter Smith's starting XI.

The striker bagged a hat-trick in last night's 6-0 Scottish Cup rout of Third Division outfit East Stirling at Ibrox.

It was Boyd's first start since December 15, but he fired out a timely reminder in the wake of Daniel Cousin's exit that he is still the main man for goals as he took his tally for the season to 13.

Boyd has slipped down the pecking order, and knows that another striker is likely to arrive to replace Cousin.

"I just want to keep working hard and try to get my place back in the team," said Boyd.

"That's why it was important for me to take my chances and I'm pleased to be back on the scoresheet.

"I've been through this before and I know what I need to do. Hopefully I can score goals and get back to a regular game.

"It's down to the gaffer whether he brings in another striker. If that happens, then it's more competition for places on top of what we already have.

"But it has never crossed my mind to leave Rangers. I want to stay here as long as I can, and score as many goals as I can."

Boyd shared some dressing-room banter with team-mate Lee McCulloch after Rangers were awarded a spot-kick in the second half.

Both players were on two goals apiece and McCulloch tried to plead for the ball to get his hat-trick.

But Boyd smiled: "There was never any chance of that. We had a laugh afterwards in the dressing room, but I wasn't giving it to him.

"It was a decent performance from us. You can only beat the opposition put in front of you and I felt East Stirling worked hard.

"Good luck to them, but we knew we had to do a job and we are into the next round."