KENNY Miller believes he has taken a major step towards winning over his critics after making his competitive debut for Rangers.
The striker insists the Champions League clash with FBK Kaunas only confirmed what he knew all along - he made the right decision to return to the club.
Miller spent 18 months at Rangers before carving out a career south of the border with Wolves, but a year-long spell at Celtic meant his dramatic return to Ibrox received a mixed response.
Some fans have been openly hostile in pre-season friendlies and his name was jeered when the teams were read out ahead of Wednesday's game.
But Miller has always been convinced he will win over the majority of fans, and he hopes his decent performance against the Lithuanians is the first step on that journey.
"Even after the first few games there were no regrets and definitely none after the other night," he said.
"There was a wee bit of booing at the start but I was happy with the reception when I went off. I'm over the moon to be back.
"I've always said that, when I get into the games and they see what I'm giving for the team, that I'll be able to win them over. I think Wednesday was a big step.
"When selected, I'll be out there giving everything for the team and I just hope they appreciate that."
Of course, Miller knows the concerns of some of his detractors are unrelated to his previous employers.
He added: "That's one thing I've read as well, that people don't think I'm good enough to be at the club. That's why I've been looking forward to the games starting.
"The result on Wednesday night could have been a lot better but they know I'm going to work hard for their team and, if I can back that up with some goals as well, hopefully that will be enough to win the round.
"There will be some people who I never will win round but I accept that.
"I'm going to go out there and give everything for the team and bring success to the club and hopefully that will be enough."
Miller believes he has much more to offer now than when he was brought to Rangers as a fresh-faced 20-year-old from Hibernian by Dick Advocaat back in 2000.
He said: "When I first came here I was a young lad and had only really played one season as a pro at Hibs before I moved here.
"Now, I've got eight or nine years under my belt and I feel I'm a far better all-round player.
"I was probably a bit raw the first time but I've been down south and I've played international games and hopefully I can bring something different to the team now, which, I'm sure, is why the boss brought me here."
Miller can also expect a torrid time from fans across the city when he returns to Celtic Park in the first Old Firm derby of the season later this month.
But he insisted: "To be honest, I'm looking forward to it.
"When the fixtures came out, it was the first game I looked for and I was happy it was really early.
"It's a big game and they are great games to play in. It's not just another game and you have to get the right result.
"There's no point getting carried away with what's going to go along with it - you just have to play the game.
"It would be great to score in any game but those games are special and it would be fantastic to get a goal in the game."
Miller is also determined to thwart Celtic's attempts at claiming a fourth consecutive SPL title and is confident he will win silverware during his second spell with Rangers.
"Definitely, there is no doubt," he said.
"It's the same squad who fought on four fronts last year and the new additions are only going to help.
"There will be better competition for places and there is the same hunger to do it again.
"The European run last year gave the lads a big taste and they want to go out and do it again, hopefully in the Champions League.
"We definitely need to win the league back and winning everything we enter is in our thoughts at the start of the season."
Miller spent 18 months at Rangers before carving out a career south of the border with Wolves, but a year-long spell at Celtic meant his dramatic return to Ibrox received a mixed response.
Some fans have been openly hostile in pre-season friendlies and his name was jeered when the teams were read out ahead of Wednesday's game.
But Miller has always been convinced he will win over the majority of fans, and he hopes his decent performance against the Lithuanians is the first step on that journey.
"Even after the first few games there were no regrets and definitely none after the other night," he said.
"There was a wee bit of booing at the start but I was happy with the reception when I went off. I'm over the moon to be back.
"I've always said that, when I get into the games and they see what I'm giving for the team, that I'll be able to win them over. I think Wednesday was a big step.
"When selected, I'll be out there giving everything for the team and I just hope they appreciate that."
Of course, Miller knows the concerns of some of his detractors are unrelated to his previous employers.
He added: "That's one thing I've read as well, that people don't think I'm good enough to be at the club. That's why I've been looking forward to the games starting.
"The result on Wednesday night could have been a lot better but they know I'm going to work hard for their team and, if I can back that up with some goals as well, hopefully that will be enough to win the round.
"There will be some people who I never will win round but I accept that.
"I'm going to go out there and give everything for the team and bring success to the club and hopefully that will be enough."
Miller believes he has much more to offer now than when he was brought to Rangers as a fresh-faced 20-year-old from Hibernian by Dick Advocaat back in 2000.
He said: "When I first came here I was a young lad and had only really played one season as a pro at Hibs before I moved here.
"Now, I've got eight or nine years under my belt and I feel I'm a far better all-round player.
"I was probably a bit raw the first time but I've been down south and I've played international games and hopefully I can bring something different to the team now, which, I'm sure, is why the boss brought me here."
Miller can also expect a torrid time from fans across the city when he returns to Celtic Park in the first Old Firm derby of the season later this month.
But he insisted: "To be honest, I'm looking forward to it.
"When the fixtures came out, it was the first game I looked for and I was happy it was really early.
"It's a big game and they are great games to play in. It's not just another game and you have to get the right result.
"There's no point getting carried away with what's going to go along with it - you just have to play the game.
"It would be great to score in any game but those games are special and it would be fantastic to get a goal in the game."
Miller is also determined to thwart Celtic's attempts at claiming a fourth consecutive SPL title and is confident he will win silverware during his second spell with Rangers.
"Definitely, there is no doubt," he said.
"It's the same squad who fought on four fronts last year and the new additions are only going to help.
"There will be better competition for places and there is the same hunger to do it again.
"The European run last year gave the lads a big taste and they want to go out and do it again, hopefully in the Champions League.
"We definitely need to win the league back and winning everything we enter is in our thoughts at the start of the season."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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