George Edmundson is learning every day at Rangers

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The summer Rangers signing has revealed who he relies upon most in training as he tries to push for a regular first-team start.

Rangers defender George Edmundson has told The Daily Record he is using the experience of Jermain Defoe and Connor Goldson to learn every day in training.

The 21-year-old arrived from English side Oldham Athletic this summer but has never played above League One level in his young career to date.

A switch to Ibrox is a massive opportunity for him and Steven Gerrard gave him his first taste of competitive action against St Joseph’s last Thursday.

Also featuring in a friendly at home to Blackburn Rovers on Sunday, the new arrival is certainly being given a chance to show he has what it takes to compete for places in Gerrard’s side.

That competition will be fierce with four defenders fighting it out for two spots in the Gers’ defensive line.

Edmundson was replaced by another new signing Filip Helander during the Rovers encounter and relishes the opportunity to play alongside him, as well as other experienced stars, in training and in matches.

As quoted by The Daily Record, Edmundson said of Helander: “He is a really nice lad and I am sure he will only get better.

“I can learn from him, but there are loads of players I can learn from here, as well as the gaffer.

“I have been picking the brains every day in training of players such as Jermain Defoe and Connor Goldson. I can only get better.”

Having a veteran striker like Defoe, who has years of experience at the elite level, teach him the dark arts of a forward’s game could be huge for the young defender’s development.

Defoe has excellent movement as well as a poacher’s instinctive awareness and passing on his knowledge could help Edmundson counteract that.

Likewise, Goldson has been around the block and knows what it takes to make a step up from life in English League Two to divisions with more quality and competition, making the transition from Shrewsbury Town to Brighton and subsequently Rangers.

Tapping those resources in training should bring Edmundson’s game on well and fans will be hoping they see visible improvement in his all-round game over the next 12 months.

Starting chances may be limited, but if he can impress on the training ground and continue with the same attitude it won’t be long before he gets more competitive starts.