WHEN his name wasn’t on the team sheet, Danny Wilson feared the writing could be on the wall for him at Rangers.

A change in manager has resulted in an upturn in fortunes for the defender, though, and now he hopes he can look to the future, both in the short and long term, with optimism once again.

Wilson spent the opening weeks of the campaign watching on from the dugout or the stands as he found match minutes hard to come by for Pedro Caixinha’s side.

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But the departure of the Portuguese and Graeme Murty’s return to the touchline has proven to be the spark that Wilson needed.

“I've been grateful to the gaffer for giving me an opportunity because I've been on the outside looking in,” Wilson said. “I wasn't getting any game time whatsoever.

“So I'm thankful to him that he's put his trust in me to play the games. I'm pleased that I've been able to contribute.

“He's also given me a bit of responsibility. That might have been forced upon him due to injuries and suspensions.

“He's had to rely on myself and others to step up but hopefully I've been able to do that when asked.

“It's a role that I enjoy but I'm just glad to be back playing. I just want to be here, playing games and doing the best I can for Rangers.”

The arrivals of Bruno Alves and Fabio Cardoso in the summer ensured this was always going to be a tough campaign for Wilson. For Caixinha, the Portuguese were the preferred picks.

The partnership never blossomed, though, and Caixinha would soon pay the price as his side stumbled from week to week and turned in a series of inept performances.

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As Rangers look for improvement in the second half of the campaign, Wilson is also determined to go from strength to strength.

He said: “There was a point when I was worried that I wouldn't get back in at all.

“I'm realistic. If you're not playing you won't be around for much longer, especially the way things were going at the club.

“There was a period when I thought it wouldn't happen for me and I'd need to look to move on.

“But thankfully I've had an upturn in my fortunes and I've played in the last 12 games. I'm happy to be involved again and I want to contribute going forward.

“You have to try and be as positive as you can but it can be difficult, there's no doubt about it.

“When you're not even included in squads, you start thinking that your time's up.

“I've got another opportunity now and hopefully I've done enough to merit staying in the team going forward.

“Ultimately, that's where I want to be – staying here and playing games.”

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The methods and merits of Murty are nothing new for Wilson. Indeed, it was in the former Development Squad boss that he often found solace earlier in the season.

Those outings for the Light Blues second string may not have been what Wilson wanted at the time but they may well have laid the foundations for his current situation.

He said: “The manager never sat me down but when I wasn't playing I'd go and play for the Under-20s when he was in charge of the team.

“What you get with him is a great deal of honesty. I was fortunate that I had to play in his first game against Hearts because he was so short of defenders.

“I've tried my best to stay in and I have to thank him for sticking with me.

“We've never had a big conversation but he wants his players to take responsibility. All he's told me to do is make myself difficult to drop.

“I've been in and I'm glad to be there. I thrive on the responsibility at the back. When I've been given the armband it's been really enjoyable.

“You never know what might happen in football, nothing's guaranteed.

“So to say that I've led Rangers out – even only once – that will always stay with me. Other players could have been given it but I'm thankful that it was me.”

Wilson’s final outing of 2017 was arguably his most impressive as Rangers went toe-to-toe with Celtic and were left wondering what might have been at Parkhead.

Alongside David Bates, who replaced Alves early on in the Old Firm clash, the defender produced a commanding display to help Murty’s side to a deserved draw.

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Wilson said: “The performance at Parkhead was satisfying. It was pleasing not to concede a goal and myself and Bates play with each other we complement each other really well.

“I have to give him credit, he was in the same position as me, on the outside looking in.

“But he's come in and contributed. He's applied himself so well and when he came on there was never any doubt in my head about what he could give us against Celtic. He showed that in his performance.

“He was man of the match at Celtic Park after coming on early. He could have been caught cold but it's testament to the pro that he is that he slotted in straight away.

“I'm delighted for him because he's a good lad and I get on well with him. Hopefully he can be involved a lot more than he has been.”

It is nine years since Wilson made his big breakthrough at Ibrox under the guidance of Walter Smith and his promise earned him a move to Liverpool whilst he was still in his teens.

Now he finds himself as one of the elder statesmen of the Light Blues squad. In Bates and Ross McCrorie, he sees Gers kids capable of making the grade.

Wilson said: “I feel a bit of responsibility to help David and Ross because I've been in their position before.

“When I think back to when I came into the Rangers team, the last thing I wanted was to be a burden on the team.

“It's the same for them. You see that in the maturity in their performances. They enhance us as a team rather than hold us back. They've done really well.

“Ross has had an extended period in the team and he looks like a player we can't do without now. That's how important he's been.

“And David's performed well at places like Pittodrie and Parkhead. If he can keep doing that, Rangers will be better for it.”