The Rangers striker is hoping Saturday's glamorous friendly against the London Blues will yield more than just memories and mementoes.

His 86th-minute strike, quickly followed by an unlikely second goal from Filip Sebo, could not have been timed better.

The 2-0 win sets Rangers up for their Champions League opener against FZ Zeta and, hopes Novo, sends out a reminder to boss Walter Smith of his capabilities going into the second-round qualifier at Ibrox.

He said: "I don't know if I turned the game when I scored, but the team worked really hard together. I think the team did brilliantly.

"It's a difficult thing to get a starting place, because there's a lot of competition here. I hope to play on Tuesday - I worked hard for that.

"If we get a win against Zeta everyone will be happy. We now focus everything on the European match. It will be great for us to get a win and go through."

Novo heads into the final year of his contract, knowing he needs to rediscover the kind of form he showed in his debut season if he wants to extend his stay at Rangers beyond next summer.

But the little Spaniard is renowned for his work rate at Ibrox - and as far as he is concerned, it will be business as usual again this season.

He added: "The manager has made a lot of signings, so if you let your standard go down you're going to be out.

"Every new season is always important; I've thought that since the first time I came here for pre-season.

"I don't think I need to prove anything; I just think I need to work hard and try to do my best. I always give everything.

"We have fantastic coaches. I have respect for them, and they tell me a lot of things. They are honest with me, and I'm happy with that. I give everything inside me for them."

If this does, indeed, prove to be Novo's final campaign at Rangers he will leave with plenty of reminders of his time at the club.

Making a bee-line for Lampard at the final whistle on Saturday, he was determined to make the coveted number eight shirt the latest addition to the football memorabilia he has collected over the years.

"I collect shirts," he explained.

"I have some shirts from every game we play - even here in Scotland.

"I like to have them, because they are nice memories to have when you count them all.

"Frank's a great player and he's been doing really well at Chelsea. I've always watched him and liked how he plays.

"There are many players in the Chelsea team whose shirt I would have liked - but I was happy to swap with Lampard."