The Rangers manager, Steven Gerrard, has not been afraid to blood young Ibrox talent.
The Rangers defender, Lewis Mayo, wants to follow a trio of young teammates into Steven Gerrard’s first-team.
Glenn Middleton, Stephen Kelly and Serge Atakayi have each made their Rangers debuts under Gerrard.
And Mayo may have followed suit had he not been sidelined with shin bone damage.
But Rangers appear to have high hopes for the centre-back, to whom they handed a new three-year contract in October.
Speaking to the Glasgow Evening Times, while promoting the Rangers Youth Development Company, this week, Mayo said: “I was delighted to sign the contract and I have signed until I am 21, which effectively takes me past reserve football and into men’s football.
“That is a big personal milestone for me so I have now got the next couple of years to crack on, to keep working hard every day and see where it takes me. Hopefully I will end up in the first team.”
Mayo expects to be back in action after Christmas, when he aims to be “flying again and raring to go” in search of his senior debut.
He added: “Being with the first team is exactly what I want to be doing. Rangers is the team I love, I love football, and I want to have as many first team opportunities as possible.
“When you see your team-mates going round, it gives you confidence and belief because you know there is that opportunity. That is what I will be aiming for when I am back and fit.”
2019 is shaping up as an important year for Mayo, with Rangers set to have vacancies in his position next summer.
Gareth McAuley is out of contract at Ibrox, while Joe Worrall’s loan spell from Nottingham Forest is also due to end.
Rangers fans – can Mayo become a regular under Gerrard?
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