Rangers have opened negotiations over a new contract with midfielder Maurice Edu.
The United States midfielder joined the club in 2008 and has 18 months remaining on his five-year contract.
Last season Edu copped criticism for his performance for Rangers but he has become an integral part of Ally McCoist s team this season.
McCoist told BBC Sport: I think Maurice s form in the last three or four games has been really, really encouraging.
He s one of these guys who doesn t always catch the eye but if you ask his team-mates about him, they ll say he always gives performances that are helpful to the side.
We ve been very pleased with him. The one thing Maurice does do is work extremely hard he s a real grafter and a workaholic. That s a massive part of his game.
McCoist also wants to fast track negotiations with striker Kyle Lafferty, who also has 18 months left to go on his current contract.
McCoist added: It has been well documented that we are looking at keeping Kyle Lafferty here and, like him, Maurice has 18 months to go on his current deal.
It is common knowledge you have to make it be known that you want to extend deals at this stage and that s where we are with both of those players at the moment.
