DANNY WILSON hopes his return to Rangers will help him re-establish himself in the Scotland squad in years to come.

The defender clinched a three-year deal at Ibrox last month as he became the first signing of the Mark Warburton era following his departure from Hearts.

Wilson will be expected to play a key role for the Light Blues this term as Warburton attempts to lead his side to the Championship title in his first season in the Gers dugout.

The 23-year-old has made five appearances for his country and scored in the 3-0 friendly win over the Faroe Islands in 2010 as he continued his rise and rise after bursting on to the scene at Ibrox.

He faces a tough task to break into Gordon Strachan’s plans in the near future but is determined to go as far as he can in the game.

Wilson said: “There was a lot of hype built up back then and people will maybe say I’ve not reached those heights that were expected.

“It’s not something I look back on and think, ‘God, I’m really struggling here’.

“I’m happy with where I am just now. Obviously I will be happier if we get promotion and back up challenging in the Premiership,

“With that hopefully I can get back in the national team.

“Looking back, I was probably thrust in a bit early. Not many 18-year-olds make their debut and are part of the squad.

“I was fortunate to do that, but now I have taken that wee step back.

“I’ve not been involved with the national team for a long time but it just makes me hungrier to get back.

“I appreciate it is going to take time. It might take us getting back up and competing in the Premiership.

“People might say I have not hit the heights yet but I am still only 23 and have a lot of football ahead of me.

“I am not worried about it. I know I need to have a good season to make sure we go up.

“Hopefully in the future I can reach those heights that people were predicting a few years ago.

“If I can look after myself as good as Davie Weir than I will have plenty of time left!

If Wilson is to become a Scotland star in the future he will have to shine for Rangers this season and help establish the Light Blues in the Premiership once again.

The stopper will work closely with former mentor Weir after he returned to the club to be Warburton’s assistant manager last month.

And Wilson is pleased to be able to rekindle a relationship that helped him on the road to glory six years ago.

He said: “We’re similar. He wasn’t a ranter and raver but he has the full respect of everyone.

“He was a great captain and maybe some of that rubbed off on me – the thought process of not digging up someone just for the sake of it.

“Before I played 25 games and he was there for 23 of them. Off the pitch he was always the first to put an arm around me.

“Now the relationship is different and while I can go to him, he’s an assistant manager and he has other things to do. I’m sure the relationship stays strong over time.”