Adam Devine has told Michael Beale he is ready to be called upon as Rangers return to competitive action against Hibs on Thursday night.
The youngster was thrown in at left-back against Bayer Leverkusen at Ibrox in the final friendly encounter before the real action gets back up and running and he did his chances no harm. Ridvan Yilmaz was injured pre-World Cup with no timeline given on a return while Borna Barisic is still at the finals with Croatia. Both could miss the visit of Lee Johnson's men with the 19-year-old ready to step up.
He said: “I enjoyed that, it was excellent. I’m grateful to the manager for picking me for the starting XI and I really enjoyed getting those minutes under my belt. I just play where the manager wants me to play. I did a job there at left-back on Saturday but hopefully I can stamp my authority and keep playing. To play regularly for this team you have to be adaptable. All the full-backs at the club are great players and with Tav being captain, it can be hard to get past him.
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“But maybe if Borna or Ridvan are out the manager might need me to play on the left and I need to show I’m capable of that. Am I ready to face Hibs? Definitely.
"Saturday was a big game for me to show what I can do. Obviously with the injuries and with Borna being at the World Cup, it’s a great opportunity.”
It was evident as early as Saturday that Beale's Rangers side were more attacking and moved the ball much quicker from front to back.
Malik Tillman grabbed a double while Scott Arfield was also on the scoresheet in the convincing win. Devine admits the intensity in the play has gone 'right up' with the front players given the freedom to play where they want.
Discussing the early days of his new boss and the style he is putting across, the youngster added: "He’s really set on his game style. He’s come in here to win and as a group that’s what we want to do too. As a club, we want success so things have definitely changed. The intensity has gone right up.
“It’s given everyone a lift. All the players are fighting for a place. The manager has come in and his options are open so everybody has to fight for their place and look to get in the team.
“He’s given us more freedom. The front players are allowed to play where they want. They’re not tied down to a set position so long as it works for them and helps the team.
“The new manager knows a few players but at the same time there’s a lot of new boys and we’re trying to get the system back together. That was the first game. There are parts we need to improve but there are similarities there.
“The fans will certainly be there on Thursday so if the team performs and goes out there with a good attitude and desire to win the game for the fans then I’m sure it will be a great night for everybody.”
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