Ibrox bench berth is a step in the right direction at Rangers for lifelong Light Blue Ross Lyon

Amongst the names that are now familiar to supporters and the players that have quickly endeared themselves to the Gers crowd, there was a fresh face in Mark Warburton’s squad last weekend.

Lyon was handed a spot on the bench for the Championship clash with Alloa as his efforts at Murray Park were rewarded at Ibrox.

It was a moment to saviour for the 17-year-old and one that has inspired him. He hopes it will be the first of many, a crucial point in his career from which he will kick-on.

Lyon may not have got a chance to stride onto the hallowed Ibrox turf as he spent the entire 90 minutes on the sidelines, but the experience was still invaluable for the Gers youngster.

If he can go one step further and make his debut on Warburton’s watch this season, it will be the culmination of a decade of dedication and the realisation of a dream.

“It has been a great few months and there is a terrific atmosphere around the club just now,” Lyon said.

“It is all so positive and you can’t argue with the impact the manager has made.

“Getting on the bench was a big confidence boost for me and it gives you even more enthusiasm to go and improve yourself. I want to be in the first team.

“Being on the bench is another step closer for me and hopefully if I keep doing what I am doing, keep playing well and keep working hard then the manager might put me on at some stage.

“I am happy to get on the bench, it is another step forward. We will see what comes next.

“This is my tenth year at Rangers. I have been here since I was a boy. I love it here.

“I joined when I was seven and I have been here ever since, training day in day out at Murray Park and working my way up. I love the club and I am living the dream.

“I got to see my heroes and train with them now I want to play for the team. It would be great for my family and friends to see me playing for Rangers. It would be unbelievable.”

Of the band of Auchenhowie hopefuls who took a place on the bench beside Warburton and assistant David Weir against the Wasps, it was midfielder Jordan Thompson who would get the nod to enter the action as he made his first appearance for the Championship leaders.

Boss Warburton is keen to give as many of his up-and-coming talents a shot at the first team as possible, but they will only get a chance to shine if it is merited.

A place in the squad was Lyon’s reward for his efforts in recent weeks and the Scotland youth international is determined to continue catching the eye as often as possible.

He said: “I have trained with the first team a few times now and I am really enjoying it. The boys treat me like one of the squad, I am not like an outsider.

“It helps that they have got a real team mentality. Training with them is excellent and I really enjoy it.

“Andy Halliday and Jason Holt have been great with me and have helped me a lot. Their advice has been invaluable and they are urging me to go and express myself and play my game.

“I see myself as a skilful player, I like to go at players and take them on one v one. I have the confidence to go and do that and try passes when I am with the first team. You can’t be scared. I can play anywhere across the front three.

“I am happy to play central or in the wider areas and the manager likes players who are adaptable.”

It is not just Warburton that Lyon will have to impress if he is to progress once again and complete the journey into the Rangers first team.

The Ibrox boss and Weir keep regular checks on the progress of Ian Durrant’s Under-20 side and Lyon is relishing the chance to work with a Light Blue legend.

He said: “Growing up, I watched the team with Davie as the captain. He was a great player for us and obviously won a lot of trophies so it is amazing to be working alongside him now.

“He has always got good advice for any player that needs it. He has got a great football mind.”

*Barcelona Bear Colin Stein is the latest Rangers great to have a brick panel named in his honour and fans can buy stadium bricks with their own personal messages now for £50.

Supporters can place orders and collect brick certificates in person from the Rangers Lotto Office in Broomloan House at Ibrox until 23 December, but to guarantee a postal delivery in time for Christmas then orders must be placed through other sales channels by 14 December.

Bricks on the new Stein panel can be purchased now from www.rydc.co.uk, by calling 0141 427 4914, texting RANGERS to 67766 or visiting the Rangers Lotto office in Broomloan House at the stadium.

Stadium Bricks are just one of a number of Rangers Youth Development Company products that help fund the Rangers youth academy - full details on Rangers Lotto, Rising Stars, Scratchcards and other initiatives can be found at www.rydc.co.uk.