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Congratulations to Rangers Academy graduate Robbie Fraser who helped Livingston back to the top-flight during his loan spell with the club.
The 22-year-old full-back joined David Martindale’s side in January – after featuring for the Light Blues in a 3-0 Old Firm victory and 1-1 Europa League draw with Tottenham at Ibrox – and he played an important role in their push for promotion.
Livi beat Ross County 5-3 on aggregate in the Play-Off Final to clinch a place in the Premiership and Robbie was delighted to experience the pressure of competitive football in an environment where results are all-important.
Reflecting on a thrilling win in Dingwall, where Livingston fought back from 2-0 down to win 4-2 in the decisive second leg, Fraser told www.rangers.co.uk: “It had all the emotions.
“We had a poor start to the game, but the boys battled back, showed great character, and we rightfully deserved to win the game and gain promotion.
“We felt pretty good and that we had done enough to take a lead up to Dingwall; we conceded in the last kick of the game in the first leg.
“We had confidence in ourselves and belief, and we knew the goal was to win the game.
“We always felt we had to score up there, regardless of whether we were winning or losing.
“I loved [the play-offs]. It was high pressure games, which is exactly the type of experience that I needed if I want to go back to Rangers and perform.”
Fraser played 23 games during his loan spell – scoring the winner against Airdrieonians on his first start – and featured in a squad that included fellow Rangers Academy graduates Danny Wilson, Stephen Kelly, Danny Finlayson and Andrew Shinnie.
He was impressed with the standard in Scotland’s second tier and believes his overall game has improved with the regular football he enjoyed.
The young Scot added: “I thought the level of the Championship was extremely high.
“It’s a really demanding league and very competitive, as you could see from the outside.
“Even going into the play-offs and then playing against Ross County, there’s not a great deal between the bottom half of the Premiership and the top half of the Championship. It shows you how competitive Scottish football can be.
“I really needed to learn the physical side, long balls and second balls. Each game was different in the Championship. One game can be ball on the ground with a good pitch and then the next game can be long balls and fighting for scraps.
“At Rangers, it’s more possession-based and you’re trying to take the game to other teams. I just had to adapt in any way possible.
“I feel that we got into the position that we did because we adapted well [to the circumstances].
“We got good results because we changed our style at times.
“We had the personnel to do it as well and had a really good group with excellent players.
“How was my relationship with David Martindale? He’s quite hands-on and wants to speak to you one-to-one.
“He spoke to me a lot, and he took a lot of interest in me given he wanted me back in January.
“He took me under his wing, tried to help and improve me every day. It was quite tough sometimes, but that’s just the type of manager that he is. He demands the absolute best.
“I felt that I perhaps may have been rotated a little bit more, simply due to the fact there were other players in my position and my age, but I felt it was a case with the manager that if you performed well, you stayed in the team.
“He put a lot of trust in players that if they performed well then he kept the same side.
“I’ll miss the environment, the staff, and the group of boys. It was exactly what I wanted – to go out and prove myself. I firmly believe I’m capable of playing for Rangers.
“I’m really looking forward to the new season. I’ll enjoy my break first and switch off, but I’ll be preparing as hard as ever to go in as ready as I can be.
“There’s a lot of excitement and fresh eyes, so it’s about keeping myself in the best shape possible and trying to impress.
“I feel in a much better place in all parts of my game. I was also able to stay fit when I was out on loan, which is important for any manager coming in and seeing that I’m fit and available.
“I’ve got the games under my belt and have experience, so I’m in a good place to go and kick on at Rangers.
“I wanted to prove that I could get a run of games to show what I can do at both a consistent level and the top end of a league.
“It went almost perfect, but I know it’s a massive season going back to Rangers.”
Robbie’s development was assisted by annual RYDC donations to the Rangers Academy and more than £12 million has already been provided.
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