PATIENCE has been as much of a necessity as a virtue for Scott Wright at Rangers. He is just 90 minutes away from it all paying off.
Wright's fortunes have fluctuated along with his form at Ibrox but his latest upturn has come at the perfect moment as he has made the most of his chance when called upon.
The weeks on the sidelines, when the effort on the training ground wasn't rewarded with match minutes, were difficult for Wright to endure but he stuck to the task and is now reaping the rewards.
A place in the starting line-up in Seville would be the ultimate payback for his endeavours and the most significant show of faith yet from manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Rangers stand on the brink of history. One man is now in the right place at the right time to play his part against Eintracht Frankfurt.
“I had a wee run when he came in and then I was out of the team," Wright said. “I spoke with the different members of the management staff on different occasions.
“I also spoke to some of my experienced team-mates and tried to bounce a few ideas off them. I talked to them about how to improve and what I can do to get back in.
“The squad is so competitive here. If you are not performing, someone will try to take your place.
“I had to be patient but I have worked so hard to get to the position where I am now.
“I just want to try and keep the shirt and hopefully no one can get it back off me now.
"The manager told me top stay patient, as hard as that is. Speaking to guys like Scotty Arfield and Steven Davis was great for me.
“They gave me a lot of good advice and I tried to soak as much up as I can."
Those words of wisdom have certainly stood Wright in good stead. He has not just played his way into contention for Seville, but arguably won over some of those who questioned his long-term future at Ibrox.
The appointment of Van Bronckhorst in November gave every member of the squad a clean slate and a fresh start but it has taken time for Wright to come to the fore.
The 24-year-old still has plenty of room for improvement but he remains as eager as ever to listen and to learn.
"There is always going to be that change up when a new manager comes in," Wright said. “When he first comes in you want to hit the ground running straight away and be one of his main men.
“My story has been a bit different and I have had to wait. But, you have to believe in yourself. You have to think you are good enough to play and he will eventually select you.
“Obviously I came through at Aberdeen and eventually made the move here. My dad and my family have followed me everywhere and gave me the opportunity to get into football to start with.
“You look back to that and these are the kind of games you dream of being involved in. I’m thankful to my coaches, family and my girlfriend for helping me get to this stage.
“There have been tough times in the past when I was injured or not in the team at Aberdeen.
“But, these are the moments that get you through the rainy days. But, we have not achieved anything yet."
There will be no dark clouds hanging over Rangers in Seville next week as the fans who created such spine-tingling atmospheres against Celtic and RB Leipzig now head for the Spanish sunshine.
The occasions in recent weeks and the demand for tickets in the past few days have been like nothing that Wright has ever known. Come kick-off, he will live through another new experience.
“It’s what you set out to do when you make a move to Rangers," Wright said. “These are the games you look forward to and want to be involved in. There is a lot of excitement around the place just now.
“Thankfully I have got tickets for my girlfriend, my sister and her boyfriend and my mum and dad.
"That is my close network. It was a bit crazy on the Friday morning after we got through.
“I was just worried about getting my close group tickets. The demand has been incredible and we will have a huge support there.
“I thought the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic was special. Then we went through last Thursday.
“It was an emotional night with Jimmy (Bell) passing a few days before.
“That night will live with me forever and the atmosphere was something you just never forget.
“It was such a good high and the good thing playing for Rangers is hopefully more of those games.
“It is about enjoying the moment and getting ready for the next game.”
The fixtures with Dundee United and Ross County have ultimately been meaningless for Rangers. The trip to Tynecastle this afternoon falls into the same category.
Wright survived a scare against the Staggies as a crunching tackle from Jake Vokins thankfully didn't leave any lasting damage and he is fit to take his place in the squad to face Hearts.
That is the final 90 minutes that must be negotiated before all attentions are fixed on Frankfurt and sights are set on Seville.
“I did think a wee bit about ‘what if.’ But, you have to try and get on with it," Wright said when asked about the crude challenge from Vokins during the 2-0 win on Wednesday night.
“It was a case of getting the doc and the physios on to have a look at it. It was about them telling me it was fine and stable.
“It was definitely a relief when you realise it is not as bad as it might have been. Absolutely.
“It is one of those things you try not to think about but it will always be at the back of your mind. It will be fine.
“It was a sore one. I just hoped I would be able to get up and run it off.
“You try not to think too much about getting tackles. You cannot think about getting ready for the final.
“The way I play and the position I play you are going to get knocks and tackles. I just try to get on with and dust myself off.”
