ADAM DEVINE is not just living his own dream. He is fulfilling the ambitions of his friends, making his family proud, as he represents his boyhood club on and off the park.
When Devine, aged just nine, entered Auchenhowie through those blue crested gates for the first time, he did so as one of hundreds of kids who thought they could make it at Rangers. The last decade has given him memories as milestones have been reached, but now it is his first medal that is within his sights.
Life in the academy structure at Rangers is a matter of survival of the fittest. It takes talent to get to where Devine was at the start of the season but the final step, the one which he has taken since the summer, requires a mentality that has been forged over some time.
A debut in the win over Queen of the South was followed by appearances against Hibernian and Aberdeen as Michael Beale showed his faith in Devine. He has also come off the bench against Motherwell, Dundee United and in the Hampden win over the Dons and a start at Ross County was the most significant of all.
As Devine has grown in stature and reputation on the park, those closest to him have watched on with pride from the stands. He is grounded and driven, right to cherish what he has done but well aware that his achievements are small in the bigger picture and there seems little chance that he will undo his hard work by getting ahead of himself.
“It’s a bit mad, to be fair," Devine said as he reflected on the change in fortunes that has seen him go from a match-going punter with his pals to a regular member of the Ibrox squad. "But as a young boy that’s what you dream of, so it kind of becomes normality for me.
"My friends get used to it as well. They’re obviously always cheering me on from the sidelines.
"They love it as well. Since I was young I have been kicking a ball with them so it is amazing for them to see me doing well. It is amazing to see them in the crowds.
"If something happens, they are the first to pull you up about it. All my friends have been excellent with me and they just tell me to keep working hard and see where it takes me."
That journey has only just started for Devine. The chance to make one first team appearance, never mind seven, would have been enough back in the day but he now has so much more to achieve after rising through the Auchenhowie ranks.
He didn't hold a season ticket during his childhood but he was a regular at Ibrox alongside Susan and Greig, his mother and his brother, and Rangers very much runs in the family.
"Of course you need to take every day as it comes and when you get the chance to pull on that blue jersey you need to make the most of it," Devine said as he spoke at an event to promote the Rangers Youth Development Fund following their latest six-figure donation to the academy system that has been his home for almost half of his life.
"Since I was a little boy, about the age of four maybe, I was growing up wanting to play for Rangers at Ibrox. I have done that but it is only the start and I need to keep going and try and get as many games as I can.
"I have not done much yet. I have played a few games with the first team but it is only the start and I want to continue on this journey."
The words of encouragement from Beale have been joined by those of advice from fellow full-backs James Tavernier and Borna Barisic. If Devine needs any other inspiration, he only needs to look at Malik Tillman, just months his elder, to see what is possible for up-and-coming players and the levels that can be reached in the formative stages of careers.
Every appearance and accolade must be earned, especially at a club like Rangers. Devine has lived through that process season after season and is now reaping the rewards.
"You have had to make sacrifices since you were a wee boy," Devine, a proud father to baby daughter Darci, said. "You have been at training every day. You don’t really get into the lifestyle and going out.
"It has just all been about football since being a wee boy. That is the way it is and how I grew up and how it is just now as well.
"To be fair, I never go out. I am just in the house with the wee one chilling. It keeps your feet on the ground."
There are moments when that is easier said than done. The Viaplay Cup win over Aberdeen last month was one such occasion and the next is now looming large on the horizon as Celtic lie in wait next weekend.
Devine was an extra-time introduction as he replaced Barisic and helped Rangers over the line against Jim Goodwin's side. It was another fantasy fulfilled as he experienced Hampden from a very different perspective.
The defender has been in the stands at previous Old Firm fixtures and describes the scenes in the Scottish Cup win last season as 'madness' as the recollections come back from what he refers to as the 'Calvin Bassey game'. Now is a time for new heroes to emerge and memories to be made.
“When you get those opportunities you need to go on and take it as well as you can," Devine said. “I thought I did not too bad. I was only for 15 minutes.
"But you need to show that the manager can trust you. When you go on for those games you need to put on a performance like Borna did.
“When you get on the pitch and you get a few touches of the ball, and the fans are behind you, you feel like you belong there.
“Once you settle into the game you just feel all your confidence is there and you just need to take the game the way it is.”
The way in which Devine handled the occasion that day would have been indicative for Beale and the team-mates that he shares a dressing room with. Ultimately, he has to win over them as much as his manager.
A seat on the bench next Sunday looks to be the best that Devine can hope for right now. Like he has done at every stage of his Rangers career, he can allow himself to dream of what might be.
“It was my first playing experience of Hampden, first time being in the squad for the national stadium," Devine said. “It was nerve-racking but I enjoyed every minute of it and I’m glad we got into the final.
“Of course it had been a dream for me. It’s what you want to do as a young player and to get that chance was great.
“When the gaffer said to me I was getting on I got a nervousness round my body. But, I loved every minute of it and I was just delighted we got into the final.
“It would be massive [to be involved in the final], of course. It would be my first taste of a League Cup final with Rangers.
“But, it’s another game we’re looking forward to and hopefully we can put on a performance and get the silverware.”
*The Rangers Youth Development Company have taken their investment in the academy at Auchenhowie to more than £10million. Profits from RYDC products such as Rangers Lotto, The Union Jackpot half-time draw, Stadium Bricks and Scratchcards are donated to the academy. For full details on RYDC visit www.rydc.co.uk or call 0141 427 4914.
