Joe Aribo has been a key player in the Rangers side this season.
He's even been widely talked about as a potential 'player of the year' contender but the Nigerian international admits a dip in form since being on African Cup of Nations duty in January.
Aribo bagged six goals and six assists in the first half of the season for the Ibrox club but has only managed one of each since the domestic return.
Now the 25-year old midfielder is ready to meet the challenge of retaining the title.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's clash with Aberdeen at Ibrox, Aribo said: "It’s nice to have (the tension of a tight title race) because it is a moment for the big players to step up.”
Only three points separate Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side and Premiership leaders Celtic with nine games to play, including a blockbuster Old Firm clash in April.
“That’s what we need", added Aribo.
"We need big characters in the dressing room. In the next games coming up, we hope that we’ll be there and we’ll get three points. That’s what we want from every single match that we play in.
“For me personally, I wanted to get more numbers in terms of goals and assists (last month). I’ve not been at my best compared to how I was before I left for the internationals.
“In football, you have these dips in form in your season but hopefully I can move past that and, come tomorrow, see a strong performance and move forward from that.
“I just need to work my hardest to get back into form and that’s what I’m doing. Every single day, I want to be my best when I’m on the pitch so that’s what I’m hoping to do.
"Of course the attackers here want to get numbers on the board, but the most important thing is the three points.
"If it’s 1-0, if it’s 2-1, as long as we’re getting the three points, that’s the main thing.”
