CALUM GALLAGHER has led the way for the next crop of Murray Park kids aiming to make their big breakthrough into the Rangers first team.

And the youngster insists there are a host of budding Light Blue protégés ready to step up and play between now and the end of the campaign.

Gallagher didn't get off the bench as Ally McCoist's side lost to Dundee United on Saturday but played a key role just hours later as the Ibrox second string booked their place in the Youth Cup final with victory over St Mirren.

With the SPFL League One title wrapped up and just five games remaining this term, fans are eager to see the top talents from Gordon Durie's Under-20 side given a chance to shine in the first team.

And the latest kid to be handed a shot at glory by McCoist hopes his peers get the chance to follow in his footsteps in the coming weeks.

"The fans will have the expectation that the young players will get a shot," the 19-year-old said ahead of tonight's clash with Forfar at Ibrox. "I'm sure that's in the players' minds and it would be nice.

"Hopefully if the chance does come then we can step up and take it. The youth players will impress.

"There are a group of youth players who train with the first team and the way they perform right now a lot of them deserve a chance with the big team.

"The Youth Cup semi-final was really good and we're deserving of being in the final.

"We're also still fighting for the league and as much as it seems to be done for the first team there's a lot for the young guys to look towards.

"I played 120 minutes for the youths against St Mirren - so hopefully I can be involved for the first team but we'll see how it goes."

Gallagher has made the most of the opportunity that has come his way in recent weeks, with the forward holding down a regular place in McCoist's squad since marking his debut against Dunfermline with a goal last month.

And he is eager to continue playing his part between now and the end of the campaign.

GallaGher said: "If I can get involved as much as I can then that's definitely my target.

"I've been blessed to play in a Scottish Cup quarter-final and then in the Ramsden's Cup final.

"That's two massive games for a boy with next to no experience. If I can keep knocking on the manager's door then that's great.

"I've not looked into the situation with a medal. I hope that when the time comes I can get one - if not I'll nick one anyway. Hopefully I can get one that belongs to me."

Gallagher may not have made it on to the field on Saturday as Rangers missed out on a Scottish Cup final berth, but the Murray Park kid reckons McCoist's side proved their worth.

"I think the boys did themselves justice on Saturday," he said. "It goes to show that with the squad there is, there's a still a bit to go to get to the top flight level but certainly they can perform at that level and do well.

"If they were to play those teams week in week out the boys could go somewhere.

"It was a bit bittersweet day but the boys played really well.It was better (this Monday than it was last week) - there hasn't been the same outcry from the fans and stuff - albeit it was deserved last week.

"The most important thing is that you can see how much it meant to the boys - they gave everything and it's been a bit more relaxed."