Ross McCrorie has starred for Rangers since breaking into the side in Fabio Cardoso’s absence.
McCrorie, 19, made his debut for Rangers back in September in the Betfred Cup win over Partick Thistle, and has since thrived under interim manager Graeme Murty at Ibrox.
The youngster has played every single minute of Rangers last three outings, partnering Euro 2016 winner Bruno Alves at centre-back against Kilmarnock, Hearts and Partick for a second time.
The Gers academy product even scored for the Light Blues to open the deadlock in the 3-0 win over Partick last time out, but Pressley believes the defender still has much to prove.
Pressley, who played for Rangers for four years between 1990 and 1994, claimed McCrorie has impressed him but must show that he is able to overcome “disappointments” and needs to get 30 or 40 games under his belt before being judged.
“I watched him in the Old Firm game and I’m certain that experience will be a big thing for him,” Pressley said. “A real positive is that he’s gone in there and not looked intimidated.
“He looked very much like a player who can handle that type of pressure. With all young players you have an initial spike, then a couple of disappointments – you need to show you can handle that.
“You can’t truly judge him until he’s played 30 or 40 games in the first-team. When the freshness goes out of it all, you’ll really find out if he has longevity in the game.”
McCrorie could keep his place even though Portuguese defender Fabio Cardoso has returned from a broken nose, after the latter started during against Berwick Rangers during Steven Notman’s testimonial on Wednesday night.
Three points for the Gers on Saturday against Hamilton, with or without McCrorie in the starting line-up, could see them leapfrog Aberdeen and Hibernian if both side failed to pick up maximum points over the course of the weekend.
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