LEWIS MACLEOD is delighted to see former Murray Park compatriot Barrie McKay leading the way for the next band of young Ibrox hopefuls.

The winger famously netted the opening goal of ‘The Journey’ as Rangers took their first steps on the road to recovery at Peterhead four years ago.

And now McKay has a chance to become an integral part of Mark Warburton’s side as the Light Blues set their sights on the Premiership title this term.

McKay turned in a series of superb performances to help Rangers lift the Championship title and Petrofac Training Cup last season as he made the most of a fresh start following Warburton’s arrival at Ibrox.

And former Gers kid Macleod hopes there are more budding Blues in the Auchenhowie ranks that can follow the 21-year-old’s example and make their big break.

Macleod said: “The best thing for the young boys is probably to go out on loan in the Championship or League One or Two and to just play. Barrie is the prime example of that.

“He started playing but then wasn’t in the fold as much as he would have liked so he went out on loan and came back. He has taken it to another level under Mark Warburton.

“He is the best example of what can happen if you go away, work hard and come back and he is benefitting from that.

“Everyone could have seen that and if you ask anyone that has played or trained with him they will tell you the talent that he has got.

“He just had to apply it in the right manner and he has done that in the last year or so. It is good to see.

“I still keep in touch with him a lot. We came through at the same time so I still speak to him a lot. It is good to see him doing so well.”