ON-form striker Ryan Nisbet looks to be repaying manager Chris Strain's faith in him after helping Kilwinning Rangers chalk up three wins out of three during the festive period.

Strain has been challenging the former Ayr United target man to up his game in recent weeks and he has responded in style, netting four times in three games and bagging both goals in the 2-0 win at Cumnock.

The victory followed hot on the heels of other festive wins against Petershill and Kirkintilloch Rob Roy.

This has left the Abbey Park side fourth in the McBookie Premiership with 30 points.

Strain is impressed how former Ayr United youngster Nisbet is pushing himself to a higher level as he bids to help improve the team’s fortunes and said: “Ryan is a very talented player, there’s no doubt about it, he is still a young lad. I asked if I could get a wee bit more out of him in the last couple of weeks and we definitely have. He has scored four goals in the last three games and his attitude has been great. I’m delighted with the recent run of results and our league form has been good. We shouldn’t be in any danger but the aim in the league must to be to finish as high as we possibly can."

Strain is now looking for more of the same as they head to Lochburn Park to face Clydebank on Saturday.

He said: “We were turned over by Bankies in August, losing 2-0 at Abbey Park and that sparked a poor run of form so I will be looking for a much better performance although they are going very well and are second in the league.”

Added the manager: “January is a very important month for us. The game at Lochburn Park will be followed by the derby match against Irvine Meadow and then the Scottish Junior Cup tie against Thornton Hibs."