IT is only a short walk through the corridors of the Rangers Football Centre between the youth department and the first team dressing room. Those steps represent a rite of passage for the next generation of Light Blues, though.

For Ryan Hardie, it has been a case of one stride forward and one shuffle back for some time now as he has attempted to emerge from the Auchenhowie ranks and establish himself at Ibrox.

Since being handed his debut by Ally McCoist four years ago, Hardie has had to catch the eye of Kenny McDowall, Stuart McCall, Mark Warburton and Pedro Caixinha, and soon there will be a new boss in the dugout that he must impress.

Read more: Ryan Hardie grateful for Graeme Murty's support as he bids to make a name for himself at Rangers

The striker has featured in all three matches that interim manager Graeme Murty has taken charge of as Rangers have beaten Hearts and Partick Thistle and lost to Hamilton in the Premiership.

It has been a show of faith from the Gers’ Under-20s gaffer towards one of his most highly-rated youngsters. It is not just Murty that Hardie must repay, however.

“I am still in the 20s dressing room at the moment,” he told SportTimes.

“You need to earn your place with the first team and I need to play well and earn my way into that dressing room.

“I have done nothing so far to be worthy of getting there so it is about playing and scoring a few goals to hopefully make that step and get into that dressing room.

“If you are good enough then you are old enough and the first team squad are always welcoming to anyone that goes round.

“If they don’t trust you and don’t think you are good enough then you are not going to get on the ball. That is a big thing, to earn their trust and show that you are good enough.

Read more: Graeme Murty: Rangers must make Ibrox a 'fortress' once again

“Working with the first team every day helps you get sharper and stronger and it takes you to the next level.

“There is a big difference in the training and it helps you get ready for first team football.”

It is in the colours of Raith Rovers and St Mirren that Hardie has been seen most often in recent seasons as he has left Ibrox in the pursuit of much-needed competitive action.

His two stints in Kirkcaldy and one in Paisley have been productive but it is at Ibrox where he must now make his mark in the coming months.

Hardie has long been spoken about as youngster who could make the grade in Light Blue but he knows that potential must be fulfilled sooner rather than later.

“That is the main target,” Hardie said of his ambitions for further first team outings this season.

“I have got a bit of game time under Murts in the last few weeks so hopefully I can keep that going and stay in the squads.

“Whenever I get my chance, I need to try and get a goal and kick on and hopefully I can keep myself around the team.

Read more: Ryan Hardie grateful for Graeme Murty's support as he bids to make a name for himself at Rangers

“I think this is definitely the season where I need to kick-on and prove to people what I can do and what I am capable of. I need to make a name for myself at Rangers.

“People talk about me because of my goals but I need to do that for the first team.

“Hopefully I can get a few and prove that I don’t just have potential but that I am a player that can be at the highest level for Rangers.”

Hardie is one of a handful of Gers kids that are attempting to make their dreams a reality at Ibrox but the road to first team glory is a difficult one to navigate.

Under the guidance of Head of Academy Craig Mulholland and 20s boss Murty, the Light Blues are approaching the journey from a different standpoint this term.

And Hardie hopes the decision to withdraw from the Development League will pay dividends for the next generation of first team hopefuls.

He said: “I think the new games programme has helped us and playing against elite players at this level helps you get to the next stage.

Read more: Graeme Murty: Rangers must make Ibrox a 'fortress' once again

“Rangers want to produce Champions League players so you need to get used to playing against a better calibre of players.

“It is obviously a different experience but it is all about learning at this age. The results matter to the players but it is about learning and getting used to playing against better players.”

The chance to pull on a Light Blue jersey continues to motivate Hardie but the forward also has ambitions in the dark blue of his country.

His late penalty earned a point against Latvia at McDiarmid Park earlier this month but the defeat to Ukraine has left Scot Gemmill’s Under-21s with a tough task in the European Championship qualifiers.

Hardie said: “I have played at every age group for Scotland and I want to keep that going.

“The last two results were disappointing but we are still only one point behind second place and the campaign isn’t over. We have got a few games to try and put that right and hopefully we can get to the next stage.”

*Ryan Hardie is pictured promoting the Rangers Youth Development Company and their Rangers Bricks product.

With Christmas fast approaching, Stadium Bricks are ideal presents for supporters.

The deadline has passed to ensure bricks are in place for Xmas, but they are on sale and brick certificates will be sent in plenty of time for the big day if ordered by December 20 - with brick placement to follow in the New Year.

You can write your or a loved one’s name into Ibrox history for generations to come on a brick personalised with your own inscription.

To order and for more info visit www.rydc.co.uk, call the office on 0141 427 4914 or visit the RYDC office in Broomloan House at Ibrox.