BARRIE McKAY will once again take a seat in the Ibrox stand this weekend - but this time it will be for a different reason.

At the start of the season the 19-year-old midfielder had to watch on from the sidelines as he struggled to win a place in Ally McCoist's plans.

On Saturday, an agreement between the Light Blues and Raith Rovers means the on-loan teenager will be unable to play when Grant Murray's side take on his parent club.

It will represent a return to a familiar viewpoint for him, but not one McKay has seen too often in recent weeks, the winger catching the eye for Raith after agreeing a short-term switch before the summer transfer window closed.

McKay is one of eight kids Rangers have farmed out to gain experience, and he is enjoying his time in the Kirkcaldy club's first team.

"It is good to be playing competitive games every week," he told SportTimes. "I am loving it. The gaffer has shown a lot of confidence in me to throw me in and let me play. I have to take a lot of confidence from the fact he has put his faith in me.

"At the start of the season I wanted to play for Rangers but couldn't get in the team, unfortunately.

"Ally McCoist has given me a chance to play at Raith and it was something I couldn't knock back.

"We have been sent out on loan to get more experience under our belt and hopefully go back and play for Rangers.

"The gaffer is still keeping an eye on us for when he needs us back. I am playing for a good team in the same league as Rangers, so I am getting the same challenges their boys are getting week in, week out.

"I played in the Championship last year while on loan at Morton so I knew what to expect. It is a tough league."

McKay will return to Ibrox as Raith bid for revenge for a 4-0 home defeat to McCoist's side earlier this season.

The Gers were comfortable winners in Fife as goals from Nicky Clark, Ian Black, Nicky Law and Lee McCulloch gave them one of their most impressive triumphs of the league campaign so far.

Hearts and Hibernian have won in Glasgow already this term to pile the pressure on Rangers and McKay reckons his Rovers team-mates won't be fazed by the trip there.

He said: "I can't play on Saturday but it will be good to go and watch both teams.

"The Raith boys will be looking to win at Ibrox. They won't change how they play just because it is Rangers and they came to Stark's Park and won 4-0 earlier this season.

"Rovers will want to show they are better than that. It will be strange watching the game. I've a lot of friends at Rangers and I have made a lot of new friends at Raith."

With a handful of games already under his belt and more crucial minutes in the competitive first-team environment, McKay has made the most of his time away from Rangers so far.

THE teenage starlet is due to remain with Murray's men until January, but his chances of regular football may once again be limited when, or if, he rejoins the packed Ibrox squad.

And the forward has not ruled out a Rovers return for the second half of the Championship campaign.

He said: "There has been nothing said yet, but you never know what will happen. It is up to the two clubs whether Rangers want me to come back or Raith want to keep me for longer.

"I have only been here a few weeks so there is plenty of time to see what happens. I'll be happy to go wherever I can get games as that is going to benefit me as a player."

While McKay, Robbie Crawford, Luca Gasparrotto, Kyle McAusland and others have had to head to pastures new to get regular action this term, one Gers protege continues to lead the way at the club.

In their most recent match at Livingston, Lewis Macleod gave another glimpse of what he is capable of with a terrific overhead kick that won the three points for Rangers.

McKay is a fan of the midfielder who is continuing to grow his reputation as the finest young talent at Ibrox.

He said: "Lewis is a great player to have in the team and on the training ground.

"He has a lot of quality and he is showing that again this season. He has a level head as well and doesn't get too ahead of himself.

"Some young players can get a bit 'big time' but Lewis is really down to earth.

"He has a lot of ability but I know he'll keep working hard.

"Lewis can be as good as he wants to be."