Robby McCrorie on Rangers No.1 hopes and McGregor influence

Here is everything he had to say.

Have you welcomed the opportunity?

I've enjoyed that a lot, to be honest. It's been something I’ve been waiting for, for a while. I knew when the gaffer came in it would come at some point, so it was just being ready for it and embracing it. I've always wanted to play at Rangers and I've loved every second of each of the games I’ve played.

Did the manager say to you to bide your team and you would get a chance?

When he came in he had a conversation with every player and he said that there was going to be an opportunity to play. Unfortunately, I was out for two months or I could have maybe had it a bit sooner, but during that period I knew it was just getting back and it will come at some point. I've got a lot of trust and faith in the Gaffer that he would stick to his word.

How much did you enjoy the recent Old Firm game?

I enjoyed it. I had all my family in that there and I don't know if they were more nervous than I was, I felt fine. It was important for us more than anything to win that game and perform well. Given the circumstances of the league, I know it doesn't do much, but it builds momentum going forward and we can take a lot of confidence from that.

How do you view the position now with Allan McGregor going?

I think it's wide open now. The Gaffer’s said that somebody will be coming in this summer and I think it's an opportunity. I just want to work hard and do everything I can to be ready for the moment and put myself forward as well.

What kind of influence has Allan been on you?

Even more so in recent weeks, I’ve realised it more than anything. I think Greegsy, in my lifetime, has been the best keeper I've ever seen at Rangers. Even from a personal point of view, going forward, just as a mate and looking for advice, he's always going to be there for me. There's not been anybody better in terms of setting a standard and the thing for me now is I want to follow in those footsteps.

Did he give you any one piece of advice in particular?

For me personally, it just doesn't matter who I'm with, what keeper if it's here or the national team, I just like to watch people. It’s not even so much like having a conversation in terms of advice. It's just watching how you prepare for big games and how you deal with the highs and lows and I personally don't think I could have learned from anybody better. Given the size and the pressures of this club, I think it will keep me in good stead going forward.

Do you fear the incoming goalkeeper gives him a one-up in terms of a starting place next season?

For me, the main thing in the past couple of weeks, was concentrating on being in the present and being in the moment, trying to do well and give a good account of myself. All I can do is work as hard as I can and I think in football in general, opportunities are everything. I hope I can get the opportunity, then it's up to me.

Do you believe you could be Rangers No.1 next season?

I think that’s the mentality you need to have at the club. Everybody should be pushing to be starting and wanting to do well for the cause.

Allan broke into the first team around the same age as you, is now the time for you to kick on?

I think so. There's a lot of similarities with Allan. I’ve been on loan at a similar age to him, I've been through League Two, League One right through and it's now just trying to establish myself. I hope the opportunity is there and that I'll do everything I can to make the most of it.

Do you need to change your mentality now to make sure you keep that number one spot?

Possibly, but I think like even just coming through the Academy, I was 8 when I joined the club and it was always who's got to be the next Allan McGregor? For me, I wanted to try and give myself the best opportunity to be that. There's obviously more pressures that come with it but I've been with the club long enough and I just want to embrace every second. I actually don't see it as a pressure playing for Rangers, I think it's a privilege. I'd much rather be at a club of this size that's got to try and win things than anywhere else.

Do you think if you can be number one at Rangers you’ll get more opportunities in the Scotland squad?

It's so important not to look too far ahead, but I've been involved in youth age groups with Scotland and it's a big ambition of mine to be involved going forward. I feel as if I've got a good relationship with Steve Clarke and Chris Woods. I think regardless of what happens there, if I concentrate on Rangers and perform well for Rangers, I think what that carries itself will only put me in good stead going forward in the international set-up.

Do you think there’s a new generation of Scottish goalkeepers coming through with Allan McGregor and Craig Gordon in their 40s and David Marshall in his late 30s?

It’s strange because I think even when they first came through, that was the question back then so it's always like who's got to be next? It's now at that point now and a lot of people might look at it and say there's not many but I just see an opportunity. Why can’t I be the next one? Then maybe in 20 years' time, the same question will come up again. Obviously, the names you’ve just mentioned there, their careers speak for themselves and the success they've had. I think they've set the standards. You have your own personal standards, but you want to be the one that's next.

When you were struggling for minutes did you ever consider leaving?

I would be lying if I said the last year and a half it's been difficult in terms of that. I've looked at loans, but I think with the club being in Europe obviously, the big thing here is that you have three first-team goalkeepers. In the position I'm in, even if you're a third or second, you need to have the mindset of being the number one. Game time has obviously been limited for me, but I always knew, like there was going to be a point when it will come and it's just being ready for that. I suppose during that time you do have your doubts because you think is it going to come or is it not? But I'm in the moment right now, I've had these games and hopefully, there's a lot more to come.

Do you get any stick that your brother Ross got the chance to play in goals before you?

No, I've been trying to get away from this. I was in the stand actually watching that at the time. Greegsy obviously came off and I didn’t have a clue what was happening. I think that's never going to get away from me, to be honest. I've played more in goals at Rangers than him now but I think that ones a stick-on for us.