Of the two young midfielders who joined Rangers on loan from the English Premier League in January, there is no doubt which one captured the most headlines.

But while Jon Toral’s arrival from Arsenal was welcomed with excitement from supporters, it is the performances of Bournemouth’s Emerson Hyndman that have since caught their imagination.

Toral came the club with a decent pedigree, and endorsements of his ability from not only the then Rangers manager, who he had worked under previously, but his former boss at Birmingham, Gary Rowett, too.

His form has yet to really justify his reputation though, and he admits that it has taken him a while to adjust from the more technical style and genteel pace of Spanish football, where he spent the first half of the season with Granada.

“It’s been different,” Toral said. “Starting the season in Spain, the different type of football, the different mentality, different everything.

“It’s a big change but I came here because I wanted to get some minutes and get fit and match-fit and help the team. I’m trying to do that.

“It’s a different style of play in the UK than in Spain, where it’s not as quick and is more tactical and everyone just sits back and waits for an opportunity and keep the ball.

“I’ve played in the UK before, in the Championship, so I knew it was going to be quicker and everything. But I enjoy it as well and I just want to keep learning.”

Toral is hoping that the longer he is here, the better his performances will be, as he adjusts to the physical demands of playing in Scotland.

The Scottish top-flight may be derided for its lack of quality outwith these borders, and often from within, but as Toral has found out, it can be an unforgiving arena.

“Physically in the first few games I wasn’t fit enough, I wasn’t match fit,” he said.

“The manager knew as well I needed a few games and he gave me those games.

“I think physically I’ve improved and I’ve felt better. Now in the last few games I’ve played in a different position as well, as I’ve been used to in my other teams, and played in a little bit deeper role.

“I’m just trying to learn from that and if the manager sees me there just try to help the team in that position. I’m getting used to it and feel I am getting better and match-fit. I hope that continues and I get better.

“I always hope when I go on the football pitch there is more to come from me and I hope, because I’m very critical of myself, the next game will be better than the one before and that will be [the case] for the rest of my career.”

Toral has a rather languid style on the ball, but if any Rangers supporters are misinterpreting that as a lack of effort or a lack of passion, he has assured them they are wide of the mark.

“When I have a bad game it’s not easy to sleep, I am really critical of myself and I analyse the games and I know when I play well and play badly," he said.

“I just try to put the bad games behind me and focus on the next one and do better next time.”

Toral, like his teammates, has been buoyed by the last-gasp win over St Johnstone in midweek, and he hopes that it will stand them in good stead to despatch Hamilton in the Scottish Cup today and book their place at Hampden.

“At this club is has to be a must,” he said. “We have to go and win the game and in the semi-final.

“We know that, we’re playing at home and the game against St Johnstone gave us loads of confidence and we have to build on that.”