ROSS PERRY admits he owes a huge debt of thanks to Carlos Bocanegra for his development into a first-team pick with Rangers.

Although the American's departure on a season-long loan to Spanish Segunda Division side Racing Santander has opened the way to a regular berth at centre-back, Perry says he was sorry to see him set sail from Ibrox.

Perry has no doubt that the words of wisdom dished out by the 33-year-old have helped him become much more positionally aware and hopes one day to partner Bocanegra should he return to Ibrox after his loan expires.

Perry said: "Carlos was an inspirational figure to me. He had such a commanding presence in the dressing room and was a great leader and club captain for us.

"I have no doubt if we had not been put down into the Third Division he would still be here and I will always be grateful to him for his help and advice.

"Obviously the fact we play the same position was a huge plus for me. The great thing about Carlos was that he was always keen to pass on advice and encouragement.

"As a young guy coming through the ranks at Rangers it has been great to have a figure like Carlos who has seen it all and done it all and is keen to use his experience to help you develop.

"The other great thing about him was just how professional he was. I picked up a lot of good habits from Carlos and now that he has moved on I am determined to get the absolute most from them."

Injury restricted the young centre-back to just two appearances for Gers before he hooked up with the Scotland Under-21s for their ill-fated attempt to qualify for the European Championships.

But with two more games under his belt for Billy Stark's side, Perry says he has enjoyed some much-needed game time ahead of the resumption of Rangers' basement campaign.

Now that he has his chance to become a first choice centre-back for Ally McCoist's side, Perry is determined to make the most of the opportunity.

He's relishing the challenge of Third Division opposition who are waiting in ambush around the outposts of Scottish football.

With McCoist's men needing a last-minute equaliser at Peterhead to secure a point and a debatable refereeing decision at Berwick to hold on to a share of the spoils, Perry believes the key to Rangers' ability to claim their first away victory of this maiden Third Division odyssey is to impose themselves on the opposition on the road.

Annan Athletic are next up for the Ibrox club at Galabank this Saturday and the stopper said: "I think we have to be a lot more aggressive in our approach to the games away from Ibrox. What is obvious is that whether we go to Peterhead, Berwick or now Annan, is that the opposition are going to raise their game and give it absolutely everything.

"The pace in the Third Division is a lot more frantic for sure but it is vital that we use the ball, keep the tempo up and draw the steam out of the opposition. We have maybe failed to do that so far and I think that is the one factor we must get right at Galabank on Saturday.

"But it was always going to take a bit of time to bed in down in the Third Division and hopefully now that we have had these scares we will be better prepared to go to the likes of Galabank and start producing our best football.

"It may be a cliche but every one of these games away from Ibrox is like a cup final to the opposition and you can see that from the determination that is etched on their faces.

"But we have belief in the quality we have in the dressing room and once everyone clicks into gear we will start to produce our best form.

"I think that is the one thing that people forget about this Rangers side, that it's a new team.

"We will definitely improve with more games under our belt."