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Rangers Academy midfielder Calum Adamson was thrilled to make the bench for the Europa League game with Braga at Ibrox and he has now set his sights firmly on making his first-team debut for Danny Rohl’s side.
The 18-year-old is currently enjoying a loan spell with Alloa in League One as part of a co-operation agreement between the two clubs, team-mates Callum Burnside and Lewis Stewart are also there, and all three are thriving in League One.
Adamson, who scored for The Wasps in a 3-0 win over Kelty Hearts recently, has progressed positively through the Light Blues youth ranks for the past 8 years and his hard work and dedication was rewarded with a place in the squad to face Braga in late November.
He received the welcome phone call from Steven Smith, who has been part of Rohl’s backroom team since the German joined the club, and the former Ibrox defender knows exactly what Calum can offer having worked with him extensively at the Academy.
Now the confident Gers youngster has experienced a taste of life in the senior squad, he is eager for much more.
In a wide-ranging interview as he showed his support for The Rangers Youth Development Company – who have donated more than £12 million to the Academy so far – Adamson says his dream is to pull on the famous blue jersey one day and he will do everything he can to make that a reality.
He told us: “The Braga game was a big moment for me.
“I got the phone call from Stevie Smith on the morning of the game and he told me I was going to be in the squad
“I wasn’t sure whether I’d be on the bench or I would just be in the travelling squad, but I turned up and saw my shirt in the dressing toom next to Tav’s.
“This is what you dream of and it was a really good moment for me and my family but now I want to assert myself and get into the team and out onto the pitch.
“I’ve had a taste of it now and it has given me even more ambition to go and play for Rangers.
“I don’t want to just settle for just being on the bench. I want to progress.
“I’ve trained a few times with the first-team and I felt as if I’d done alright. Hopefully I caught the gaffer’s eye and I must have as I was in the squad.
“He thought I was good enough to be put on the bench so I was glad he put that trust in me and hopefully that can continue and he can put me on the pitch soon.
“Stevie Smith has been coaching with the first-team and he has always been great with Academy players.
“I think it’s a really good thing for us because we can go round and be more comfortable with Steven there as we know him well.
“He’s had a great playing career and we all look up to him.
“I respect any coach who has had a career like his.
“He’s played for Rangers at the end of the day and that’s what I want to do.
“I always listen to what he has to say and take in a lot of information from him.
“He has experienced a lot in football and he had injuries too. When I had an injury last year he was there for me, right through it all.
“He knew I’d be back and I’d be stronger because I’ve got that mentality.
“I think we are pretty similar people. Stevie would play right on the edge and he has high standards.
“In the past few years, I’ve started to mature as a player and I’m developing into being a bit more of a leader.
“I always work as hard as I can and I’m definitely progressing.
“Playing with Alloa and getting on the bench for games like Braga can only help me.
“I always try to be the best player every night at training with Alloa and it’s the same when I come back here.
“I’m just trying to do everything to maximise my potential so that I know that if it doesn’t work out, I’ve given it my all.
“It’s obviously my dream to get round to the first-team and play for this club, that’s the aim.
“I want to train as much as I can with the first-team, at the end of the day that is where you want to be.
“Rangers is some club and I absolutely love it. I signed a new contract recently so now it’s all about kicking on.
“I want to push myself as much as I can and have no regrets and I feel I am progressing and developing as a player and a person.
“I picked up an injury last season that set me back but once I was fit I was part of the team that won the Glasgow Cup against Celtic and I played a lot of minutes after that.
“Now I’m out on a co-operation loan with Alloa and I’m really enjoying my time there.
“It was always the plan to get out and play men’s football this year. That was the aim for me and I’m glad I’ve done it.
“Josh Gentles had a good experience here on loan last season so it was always my first choice to come to Alloa.
“I came to watch a few of Josh’s matches and he did really well. Everyone speaks very highly of him and Alloa have made me feel very welcome too.
“It’s also good to have Lewis and Callum here from Rangers with me. I went out there first and they joined me and all three of us are getting minutes.
“We have a great bunch of lads in the dressing room and the gaffer is great and has been really good with me. I’ve enjoyed the matches I’ve played in so far and now I’m looking to push on.
“I’m looking to have a positive season and we’ve started really well.
“We’re sitting pretty high up in the table so hopefully we can progress and win the league or at least get to the playoffs.
“This is a great experience for me and the other Academy boys.
“I want to get as many minutes under my belt as I can, chip in with goals and assists and take that experience back to Rangers.
“I train with them on a Thursday night and it is always great to meet up with the squad and the gaffer.
“I’m growing up by being in a men’s changing room. It’s different from the Academy and I have enjoyed it so far.
“I scored my first goal against Kelty Hearts recently and I was happy with that.
“I’m getting minutes and playing every week and a big aim for me this year is to get my numbers up.
“So, I’ve had the one goal so far since I’ve been there and I’d like to get a few more. I need to take a few more shots.
“The team is doing well and I’ll keep working as hard as I can to help them win matches.
“I knew it was going to be tough playing competitive football. It’s a lot quicker and a lot more physical but I was prepared for that side of the game.
“It’s class to be playing every week and I want to keep pushing on.
“Calum Gallagher is also at Alloa and he knows what it’s like to play for the Rangers first-team. He did that early in his career and he has pulled me aside for a few conversations and given me good advice.
“I’m learning every day and I want to keep playing well for Alloa then come back to Rangers and hopefully get involved with the first-team.
“I feel as if I’m in a good spot right now and I’m really enjoying my football.
“You need to do everything you can to progress and I don’t want to have any regrets and think I could have done this or that.
“So, I will just keep working hard and hopefully things will work out.
“I want to earn a new contract here and keep pushing.
“Players like Liam Kelly, Ross McCausland and now Findlay Curtis have come through the Academy to the first-team and I want to do the same.
“I’ve come through with Findlay and he’s done so well. He’s such a nice boy and he’s ready to kick on too.
“He’s a threat and has already scored goals this season.
“I want to progress from the Academy just like him.
“My main aim is to put that Rangers top on.”
Calum’s career development is assisted by annual RYDC donations to the Rangers Academy and more than £12 million has already been provided.
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