THE road is a well travelled one but not everyone who sets out completes the journey.

For every kid who makes their big break and realises their dreams, there are tens, hundreds even, that find the reality is more of a nightmare and never hit the heights expected.

Andy Murdoch embarked on his path to stardom some time ago but has now reached an important junction.

He is a first team player, has scored for Kenny McDowall's side and has just signed a new contract that will keep him at the club for another two years.

The midfielder is the latest youngster to emerge from Murray Park and look to star at Ibrox but it has taken some time for his promise to be fulfilled and for the 20-year-old to be given his chance.

Impressive performances against Hibernian and Raith, and a superb strike at Stark's Park, have been rewarded with glowing praise and a fresh Gers deal and he is set to keep his place when Kenny McDowall's side face Falkirk this evening.

Murdoch's rise to prominence has not surprised his boss, and nor would the breakthrough of any of peers, but there is no magic formula to be followed.

Rangers' travels up and down the country as they made their way through the lower leagues were seen by many as the ideal breeding ground for their most promising young players to thrive.

Of the handful that have been given the opportunity, few have been able to grasp the chance presented to them, but McDowall knows timing is everything.

"If you look at our squad there are a lot of good players here. That's the thing about the Old Firm - when you come here you have to be patient," he said.

"Every now and then there'll be an Ian Durrant or a Lewis Macleod who'll go in at a right young age and handle it and do very well.

"If that's not the case you have to be patient. Also, where we've been in the last couple of years, it's been tough going as well and we had to make sure we were getting ourselves out of these divisions to be back to where we feel we should be.

"If they're good enough they're old enough but at the Old Firm it can be harder to break through purely because of the squad. It can also be good for them in that environment - to learn.

"If they're taking touches and getting smashed, it makes you learn quicker. You've got to get a balance and be sure it's doing them good and not setting them back.

"So there's all that to be taken into consideration. He's got off to a flier.

"I'm not surprised and Ally (McCoist) and Durranty won't be surprised, because he's been working with us for the last two years.

"We know what he does and he does it well. He's got himself into the team and it's up to him to stay there."

Murdoch may be the man of the moment at Ibrox but the midfielder is not the only silver lining in the dark clouds that still hang over the club.

After cup defeats to Celtic and Raith Rovers earlier this month, results that were coupled with abject performances, the pressure was on McDowall and his players.

A decent response against Hibernian brought few rewards as they lost second place in the Championship standings but the signs were far more encouraging seven days ago.

Goals from Murdoch and Kris Boyd earned McDowall's side a valuable 2-1 win, and an even more important three points, as they got back on track after a miserable few weeks.

The trip to Falkirk tonight is another tough test which Rangers must pass as they look to finish best of the rest behind champions-elect Hearts.

But it is a hurdle McDowall is confident the Light Blue can overcome as they look to move above Alan Stubbs' side once again.

He said: "The last two weeks have been good. We were disappointed in the Hibs game and I got a bit of stick for saying they were fantastic, but we did well in the game and I'll tell my players when they've done well.

"We were very unfortunate. Last week we managed to get the goals to win the game and we should've won both games. If we continue to play the way we're playing we're capable of taking four or five off somebody."

Rangers head to Westfield aiming for their fourth win of the season over the Bairns but they could have to make it half a dozen triumphs if they are to clinch promotion to the Premiership.

Peter Houston's side will visit Ibrox on the penultimate day of Championship action and harbour their own ambitions of a place in the top four at a shot at the top flight.

It is Queen of the South that currently trail Hibs and the Light Blues and the Ibrox boss knows what lies in wait this evening as they look to add to 2-0 and 3-1 wins already this term.

McDowall said: "Every time we've been there we've had a tough game so I don't see this one being any different. But if we continue in the vein of form that we're in then I'm hopeful we could get the three points."