Adam Devine has warned Rangers skipper James Tavernier he’s driven to oust him from the Ibrox starting XI.
The 19-year-old was showered with praise by manager Michael Beale after handling being thrown into the pressure pot of first team action last month. Beale told Tavernier he’ll need to be looking over his shoulder now the rookie has proven he can handle the heat, especially as he was thrust in as a makeshift left-back.
And after dropping back out the starting XI for the win over Motherwell and Monday’s Old Firm draw, Devine insists his ultimate goal is to force his way back in and steal the skipper’s berth on his natural right side. The youngster has learned much of his trade from watching the Englishman who he admits is a role model. But spurred on by Beale’s praise he is now targeting becoming a first team regular after his impressive displays against Hibs, Aberdeen and Ross County.
He said: “It fills you with confidence. I just need to keep my head down. Tav’s in the team but ultimately that is my aim - to try and get him out of the team.
“That’s my drive in training every day. I want to be playing. I want to be starting games. But he’s a big role model for me. He’s been helping me.
“You just don’t want to stop. I can’t wait to get my next chance. Hopefully I’ll put on a good performance and stay in the team.”
Rangers looked set to cut Celtic’s lead to six points as they led Monday’s derby 2-1 heading into the last two minutes of normal time only for Kyogo Furuhashi to smash home a leveller. Devine admits it was a sore one to take.
But he insists the side are heading in the right direction under Beale with three pieces of silverware still up for grabs. He said: “There was disappointment in the changing room on Monday of course but there’s a lot of positive to take out the game as well.
“I feel we are moving in the right direction. At a club like Rangers you need to win every game that’s in front of you.
“At the end of the day we want to pick up as much silverware as possible at the end of the season.”
• Adam Devine helped launch the new 2022/23 SPFL Match Attax Collection, on sale now in Scottish retailers and via Topps.com
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