NACHO NOVO has urged Rangers to take a step closer to Champions League qualification by defeating Hearts at Ibrox on Saturday.

A win would see Rangers move eight points clear of the Tynecastle side in the race for second place in the SPL.

Hearts pipped the Ibrox club to the runners-up spot last season, but new manager Walter Smith has warned that a repeat of that scenario must be avoided.

Smith has guided Rangers to back-to-back wins over Dundee United and Dunfermline in his first two games since returning to Ibrox.

And Novo, 27, believes those victories have revived flagging confidence within the Gers ranks.

The Spanish striker said: "It's great to win two games in a row and we have to carry that confidence into the next game against Hearts.

"Every game between now and the end of the season will be tough, but Rangers must win these games.

"We are the biggest club in Scotland, and one of the biggest in Europe, and everyone expects us to be at the top all the time and winning games.

"With the new gaffer, everything is fantastic.

"There is a good atmosphere and we have had two important results - hopefully we can continue that."

Novo was on the verge of quitting Rangers for Coventry in the summer, but has enjoyed a mini-revival this season, in particular netting crucial goals in the Uefa Cup.

With Dado Prso out for at least a month with a hamstring injury, Novo has the chance to impress Smith.

"I'm quite happy," he added. "I'm just trying to work hard as there are many good players here and you have to fight for your position.

"It depends on myself and whether I can score goals. Everyone will get a lot from (assistant boss) Ally McCoist - his motivation is fantastic for me."