But the Australian midfielder admits the task of actually replacing Naismith and replicating what he contributed is a far tougher challenge.

Naismith - who netted nine goals for Rangers this season - is out for the rest of the campaign after suffering cruciate ligament damage against Aberdeen last week.

Asked if he is the man to replace the influential player, McKay said: "I'm not sure. Steven has been great all year, with the amount of goals he has scored and his play has been exceptional.

"He has been one of the best players in the league this season. They are big shoes to fill.

"But I'm sure I can play my part in helping the side.

"I'm not going to take over from him but I'll enjoy every minute I get out there. He will be missed.

"We need to rely on big Nikica Jelavic and Kyle Lafferty for the goals now and we need the midfielders chipping in so I want to be part of that as well."

With Lafferty also out of the clash with United with a dead-leg picked up in training on Friday, McKay earned his first SPL start, playing just behind Jelavic and setting up the opening goal for the Croatian.

He said: "I'm trying to strike a partnership with Jela and I'm very new to the team. So it was good that I could deliver for him like that early on."

Jelavic doubled the advantage from the penalty spot after Gregg Wylde - later sent off for a challenge on Willo Flood - was felled in the box.

Jon Daly pulled a goal back for the visitors before Rangers grabbed their third but Jelavic was denied his hat-trick with the goal initially credited to the striker actually turned into his own net by Garry Kenneth.

McKay said: "I thought it was an own goal but Jela will claim it. He says two and a half!"

He added: "I really enjoyed the game, it was great to get out there for a league start, and we got the right result, which is good.

"A few of the boys were disappointed with the way we played but the result helps us and we can move on.

"A lot of the boys are away on international duty now and the ones who are here will work hard and be fresh for the next game."

The win allowed Rangers to move 12 points clear of second-placed Motherwell and 15 points clear of Old Firm rivals Celtic ahead of their meeting at Fir Park today.

McKay said: "It puts pressure on the contenders. I'm sure they were watching.

"It was a 3-1 win and it wasn't the prettiest but we got the result and it puts the pressure back on them."

United boss Peter Houston said: "The last one it was Garry Kenneth who scored the goal, it wasn't Jelavic.

"I was asking questions why Garry let him across the front of him but these things happen sometimes.

"It was good movement from Jelavic, the quality player that he is, but it was Garry Kenneth who put it in the goal."