What he did not expect was his new manager to take him at his word quite so literally. Three games, three different positions - and none of them the centre-half role he made his own as captain of St Mirren.

Broadfoot has so far been deployed at right-back, left-back and left midfield to surprisingly decent effect and is unlikely to be complaining any time soon.

While players like Brahim Hemdani, DaMarcus Beasley and Charlie Adam were left kicking their heels in the stand when Falkirk came calling on Saturday, the big utility man knows his versatility could well be the key to his success.

"This is the biggest squad I've seen," he said. "There are 30 players who could come into the first team and do a job.

"The under-21 rule takes three off straight away and it's a battle to make the bench now, never mind the starting line-up.

"I told the manager when I signed I'd play anywhere. I don't mind playing full-back, I don't even mind playing in midfield to be honest.

"I told him I'd played there for St Mirren. I'm just here to do well for Rangers so if that means playing at the back or in the middle, I don't care."

When Broadfoot first appeared on Smith's radar, some observers were far from convinced he was Rangers class. He is now taking great satisfaction from proving his detractors wrong.

He said: "Personally when I arrived I wasn't daunted by it, I relished the challenge.

"If you don't relish it you're at the wrong place. If you go out on to the pitch scared you've failed straight away. You'll not want the ball and when you get it you'll be nervous.

"When I arrived I didn't feel overawed."

One role Broadfoot is unlikely to occupy any time soon is that of striker, but his was an unlikely name on the scoresheet on Saturday as Rangers inflicted a 7-2 defeat on their visitors.

The injury-time strike succeeded only in adding further gloss to an already emphatic victory but it was one the player will cherish.

"That's my first goal for Rangers," he smiled. "I'm a Rangers fan so to score for Rangers at Ibrox is a dream come true. My mum and dad were at the game along with four of my friends.

"When I switched my phone on there were quite a few text messages for me too with people congratulating me and saying well done.

"It was a good day all round to be honest."

Meanwhile, Falkirk goalscorer Graham Barrett has cited Celtic's John Kennedy as the inspiration behind his own comeback after almost two years out of action with a serious knee injury.

He was a Livingston player when he sustained the horrific injury and only made his competitive debut for the Bairns against Celtic last week after a year at the club.

Barrett explained: "Falkirk signed me last year when they thought I would be fit and had recovered. But I broke down in training and they stood by me.

"It's nice to be involved with people like that. The club has been unbelievable. Now I have to repay them. I'll get there and I've got a great club supporting me.

"You have to have confidence in yourself or you are not going to be the same player you were, or hope to be.

"John Kennedy at Celtic is a good example. He has gone back into it 100% and he's making really rapid progress. I have to be the same when I go on the pitch - not be worried and not hold back."