ROBBY MCCRORIE insists he’s not just there to make up the numbers after signing a new long-term deal at Rangers.

The youth academy graduate last night signed terms to keep him at Ibrox until at least 2025 and immediately targeted challenging for the No1 jersey.

McCrorie, now 24, has been a regular member of the first-team group and made his debut last season in Europa League qualifying against Alashkert before his first league outing against Celtic days later. And he’s hoping to establish himself in the Rangers team in the years to come and challenge experienced duo Allan McGregor and Jon McLaughlin.

"I'm happy to get it done,” admitted McCrorie. “I love the club and I think it's like signing the contract is obviously a statement of intent hopefully going forward for myself and the club can be positive.

"I think it's important to try and assert myself in the team, do everything possible to try and make myself successful and more importantly the club successful. And hopefully get as many games as possible.

"Obviously,  there's not been as much opportunity recently but I think over the period of this contract it's important that when the time comes that I'm ready. And hopefully, the manager puts that faith in me it's up to myself on the pitch.

"At the end of the day the reason I signed the contract is because I love the club but I want to now really kick-on with my career and try and establish myself as being a first-team goalkeeper.”

McCrorie starred on his league debut against Celtic in a 1-0 win for his side and is determined to taste more success between the sticks.

While his game time has been limited, the keeper still reckons he’s developed majorly through training alongside McGregor and McLaughlin as well as competing in the Scotland national team set-up.

On his league debut, McCrorie explained: "I loved it to be honest. It was amazing when it happened. “It's been difficult I think because it's been a while since I've last played but I've tried to get as much as possible out of every day and tried to soak up the club stuff that the club has done in terms of the European run and winning the Scottish Cup and some of the big matches I've been lucky to be involved in. I just try to take in as much as possible and use that for myself going forward.

"I enjoy it massively (training with McGregor and McLaughlin). I've been fortunate that I've worked with top goalkeepers all the way through at the club and with the national team.

"Regardless of who it is I always try to look at what people do day-to-day and what they do in matches, it can only benefit me.

"It's important also that I also try to stamp in my own traits and improve them.

"I think the biggest thing is we push the standards, we push each other. Not in a bad way but you shouldn't be at Rangers if you're going to settle for just being average.

"I think Colin Stewart (goalkeeping coach) with the goalkeepers as a group we definitely all work together to be better each day and at the end of the day get results for the club.”

McCrorie earned recent international recognition stepping in for injured team-mate McLaughlin to join the Scotland camp for last month’s Nations League fixtures.

Steve Clarke had challenged the keeper to earn more game time to bolster his Scotland hopes – and McCrorie is hopeful he can challenge for club and country after deciding his future lies in Glasgow.

"I love going away with Scotland, it's something that I've always done, all the way through the age groups,” said the Ibrox stopper.

"Steve Clarke has been brilliant with me and so has Chris Woods (goalkeeping coach). I really enjoy their training.

"I think it is a great place to be right now, it's a place I want to be a part of and it's good to see the staff there have that faith in me as well.

"They'll be wanting to see me playing in games also so I can be in contention to push for the national team as well as at club level."

On the confirmation of the new deal, Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst said: “I am delighted Robby has agreed to sign a new deal with us. He is continuing to develop as a goalkeeper and has learned so much from both Allan and Jon.

"His recent Scotland call-up is testament to his quality, and his professionalism and attitude are a real credit to Robby and a real asset for the club.”

Goalkeeping coach Stewart added: “I’m delighted for Robby and he thoroughly deserves his new deal as he continues to show a brilliant attitude to his work, and he challenges both Allan and Jon every day in training.

“This new deal and his recent Scotland call-up show just how highly-rated he is at club and international level, and we look forward to working further with Robby in these next few years.”