TIME is precious and the opportunity is priceless. Billy Kirkwood knows the kids under his tutelage can’t waste a second at Murray Park, and that they have to make the most of the chance they have been given.

The Auchenhowie staff are not just working to nurture footballers, they are attempting to produce Rangers players. Plenty have the dream, but few make it a reality.

It is Kirkwood’s task to help as many as possible go all the way, to complete the journey from behind the blue crested gates in Milngavie to down the famous Ibrox tunnel.

From those just starting out in the Rangers ranks to the first team hopefuls edging ever closer to Mark Warburton’s side, no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of improvement as the Light Blues kids are presented with the best possible chance of going all the way and making it.

Every piece of advice is given, every measurement is taken and every detail is analysed, but the final ingredient often comes from within.

“What we try and do in the Youth Department, and in particular Ian Durrant, a Rangers legend, is instil that grit in them that is required,” Under-17 boss Kirkwood told SportTimes.

“I say to them that they can’t afford to waste a minute here and that they need to have that grit and determination we need in a Rangers player.

“They need to be able to perform in front of 50,000 Rangers fans at Ibrox. We have to build them into a Rangers player so they need to have that desire to be a Rangers player.

“As long as they see a pathway then that is the main thing. There is no glass ceiling here.

“I know the likes of Barrie McKay and Danny Wilson speak to the kids, as does the manager and Davie Weir, and we have got Ian here in the youth department.

“He knows what it is all about to be a Rangers player and we need to impart that knowledge and experience into the kids. The bottom line is that they have to experience it for themselves to see whether they can handle it or not.”

Several Gers protégés have already been given the chance to prove their worth since Warburton’s arrival in the summer and many more will follow suit in the coming weeks, months and years.

The Ibrox boss is a firm believer in developing players, improving them and allowing them to express themselves. They will be given a shot, it is up to them whether they make the most of it.

The pressures and expectations involved at Rangers often make it difficult for young players to flourish but the likes of Jordan Thompson and Ryan Hardie have been regular features of Warburton’s squad this term.

“Since Mark has come in, there have been around 20 lads that have been round training with the first team and we need to make sure that they have the nuts and bolts to become a footballer,” Kirkwood said.

“They need to catch the manager’s eye so that he is not scared to put them in when needed.

“Ross McCrorie is an example of that, he has been round with the first team and the manager didn’t have any hesitation in putting him into the squad.

“Sometimes that is how your career goes and you get a break when it is least expected. We have got to make sure that they are ready and willing to step in when needed.”

When the tap on the shoulder and the call of duty comes and the budding Light Blues are invited round to train with the first team, it would be understandable if there were nerves as well as excitement.

Warburton often picks players from the youth ranks to work alongside his squad as he keeps a close eye on the up-and-coming talent at Murray Park that is overseen by Academy chief Craig Mulholland.

It is not a step into the unknown for those that are selected, though, Warburton’s insistence that his first team methods are implemented throughout the various age groups ensuring that practice makes perfect.

Kirkwood said: “That was one of the things that Mark said to Craig when he came in, that he wanted the philosophy in the Under-20s and down through the age groups.

“We are replicating a lot of the things that the first team are doing and we hope that the work we do with them and that the sports scientists do with them helps them on their way.

“So when they get their chance in the 4-3-3 that the manager likes to utilise, they are able to play in it because they have done it in the 20s, the 17s and through the levels.”

The impact of the changes made at all levels at Murray Park may not be seen in the first team arena for some time, but it is the one at the top of the pyramid that could have the biggest consequences for Rangers.

Warburton has kept faith with the staff that were already in place in the youth set-up as Mulholland has retained overall control and Durrant and Kirkwood operate at Under-20 and Under-17 levels respectively.

After years of instability and uncertainty, the blue print and firm foundations are welcome, and could be crucial.

Kirkwood said: “It has been like that since 2012, so much has gone on and so much has changed, especially at first team level.

“The one constant has been the Youth Department with Jim Sinclair and now Craig in charge and hopefully we can continue to produce players to enhance the first team.

“We want to see boys coming through and it could save Rangers money at the top end if we can get them through.

“We have got a good batch at 15s, 16s and 17s and hopefully in the next couple of years they will come through and we will see more players in the first team.”

*Rangers youth coach Billy Kirkwood was pictured promoting the Rangers Youth Development Company and their official, weekly Rangers Lotto.

All profit from the sale of Rangers Lotto tickets is directed to Rangers Football Club’s Youth Programme – which gives fans the chance to win big prizes and help support youth development at the same time.

Anyone interested in becoming Official Rangers Lotto Agents can email rydc@rangers.co.uk, call 0141 427 4914 or visit www.rydc.co.uk.

Rangers supporters can back the Rangers Youth Development Company in a variety of ways – full details on Rangers Lotto, Rising Stars, Scratchcards, Stadium Bricks and other initiatives can be found at www.rydc.co.uk.