RANGERS youngster Adam Devine spoke to Derek Clark about life at the club and breaking into the first-team last season.
Here is everything he had to say at the club's pre-season training camp in Portugal.
It’s been a whirlwind couple of months for you. Can you tell us what it's been like making your first-team debut?
It’s been good. It came as a bit of a shock but with the first-team having the Europa League final I think some of the players needed rested. I wanted that opportunity and I got it and I took it quite well so I just need to keep pushing on now.
What did the manager say to you before the game?
I found out the day before in the pre-match session when he said to me just to be ready and that I’m going to be playing. I wasn’t 100% sure that I was going to be playing until that training session so I was over the moon. I was nervous but once I got onto the pitch I was fine.
Did you feel comfortable given you were playing with a lot of boys who have come through the Academy with you?
Yeah, definitely. I’m used to playing with them week in and week out so it makes it a wee bit more easy. I thought they took their chance well when they got it as well so it was a good day all round.
It was a great result, could you sleep that night?
No! It never sunk in until a few days later to be fair but I’m just grateful for the opportunity.
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What’s it like training with the first team and do you feel you belong here and deserve to be part of it all?
I’m still an Academy player for now and I just need to take each day as it comes. This is my first pre-season so I’m delighted to be here. It’s a lot faster, a lot quicker and it’s obviously a lot tougher but I feel I’m settling in quite well.
What sort of pre-season programme are you on?
In the off-season, there was a two-week programme that we completed. It was just to keep ourselves fit over the off-season and then when we came back we’ve had a few running sessions but it’s been more ball work to be fair. Everybody’s come back in good shape so it’s good.
Does James Tavernier help you with passing on advice?
Yeah, he’s really good. Obviously, last season showed how good a player he is and how good a captain he is. It’s amazing to be on the training pitch with him and I try to take as much as I can from him. Hopefully, I get more opportunities to do that so I just need to keep watching what he’s doing and keep trying to learn as much as possible.
You’ve seen Nathan Patterson make it through to the first team and move to Everton, does that give guys like you the belief you can get a chance?
Yeah, definitely. I think Nathan is a key example. He came through the Academy as a kid, got his chance and he took it really well. Obviously, he’s moved on now but in the games that he played, he did excellently. Hopefully, I can try and impress the boss and get a few more games under my belt and take it from there.
How beneficial do you think the Lowland League has been in terms of your development?
Definitely. It was a good experience. It was difficult going away to different places, different types of pitches and different opposition but playing against men is all you can ask for really. It’s a lot better for my development. It was good, the boys did well last year. I think that was a step closer to where I want to get to.
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Where do you want to get to? Have you set yourself any targets for the season ahead?
Just to get a couple more appearances, hopefully at Rangers. Train with the first-team regular and impress the boss and if my chance does come then hopefully I can take it.
What do your family and friends make of your progress at Rangers and making your debut?
It was a bit surreal to be fair. I’ve been a Rangers fan my whole life, my family are Rangers fans so it was an amazing moment. My family were there watching as well and they were proud so it was a great moment for my family.
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