SAM JAMIESON lived the dream. Now he is facing a new reality.

Signed by Rangers as a seven-year-old, the forward spent more than a decade progressing through the Auchenhowie ranks and edging ever closer to a shot at glory at Ibrox.

He would never make it that far, though. Just weeks before the end of the campaign, the curtain came down on his time in Light Blue.

The news that he wouldn’t be offered another deal could have derailed Jamieson’s career. Instead, he is determined to get back on the right track.

“I was there for eleven years. I joined when I was seven,” he told SportTimes.

“But a couple of weeks before the end of the season I was told that I wasn’t getting another contract.

“It was obviously tough to take, especially when you see some of the boys getting their chance in the first team.

“But you need to take the positives out of it and move on. I was looking forward straight away and looking to get myself going again.”

Jamieson was one of five players that Rangers released last month as Head of Academy Craig Mulholland had to break the bad news to those under his guidance.

Every youngster at Auchenhowie shares the same ambition, but it was the feelings of disappointment that were mutual as Max Ashmore, Jordan Gibson, Amin Bouzaig and Josh Jeffries were also let go.

The number of kids that fail to make their big breakthrough always outweighs the number of those that do. If they are to recover from an early setback, the reaction has to be a positive one.

“Craig took me into his office and told me,” Jamieson said.

“It is obviously hard for him as well. I have been there for so many years and worked with him for a while.

“It is always in the back of your mind because you know that not everyone will make it at the club. But there are always going to be opportunities for you elsewhere and you need to make the most of them.

“It is difficult to make the breakthrough at such a big club. I have seen people coming through and getting their chance so that was hard for me and the others that weren’t. That is football, though.”

The words from Mulholland may have been a blow but the message from Rangers helped Jamieson take the positives out of his situation.

Life away from the Light Blues can be difficult to adjust to but the Academy staff do what they can to help ease the transition.

“I picked up an injury but the physios and the Doc were brilliant with me helping me to get fit again,” Jamieson said.

“I can’t thank them enough for that. Even when it comes to helping me find another club, Rangers have had an input in that as well.

“They don’t just let you go without any options. They try to help and I am looking forward to getting back playing football.”

Like several of his Light Blues peers, Jamieson spent time away from Rangers last season in a bid to boost his development.

A loan stint in the Lowland League with Stirling University may not have been enough to earn him another campaign with the Gers.

But the 18-year-old reckons his upbringing at Auchenhowie has prepared him for what lies ahead on and off the field.

Jamieson said: “I am looking forward to being back training again and playing football again. I am looking forward to the season.

“There are clubs in Scotland and England that are keeping track of me but I have not made my mind up yet. I take some time and then take it from there.

“I am just solely focused on football just now. Work or further education is something that will come later if things don’t work out for me.

“Rangers help you with your education as well so that hasn’t slipped over the last few years.

“Katie the Welfare Officer is very good and she helps you with your studies and we had tutors as well. That was a big help.”