John Fleck burst on to the scene at Rangers as a teenager and was tipped as the hottest talent to emerge from Scottish football in years.

Now, four years down the line, the Ibrox youngster is finally hoping this will be the campaign in which he manages to hold down a starting slot and prove what all the fuss was about as he was progressing through the youth ranks at Murray Park.

Here in Germany, in 2007, Fleck became the first 15-year-old in over a quarter of a century to play for the first team when he was handed his debut in a friendly fixture with SV Lippstadt 08.

And he scored his first goal, against Sportfreunde Lotte, in the following match.

Ironically, that is the same side Rangers will be facing tonight for Ally McCoist's first game in charge and it will no doubt bring back a pleasing memory for Fleck, who will hope this tour can lead to a successful season for him.

"I'm still only 19 years old and I think a lot of people sometimes forget that because I broke into the first team so early," said Fleck. "It seems like such a long time since I played in those matches here.

"Obviously, looking back on the period since then, I would have liked to have played more matches, but I've been involved in a team that has won three consecutive league championships and picked up medals, and that has been extremely pleasing.

"I've played in the Cham-pions League, I've played in Old Firm matches and I've also played in cup finals, so I've gained a lot of experience but it goes without saying I now want to try and force my way into the starting line-up more.

"This season isn't any bigger for me than any other season. Every season is a big season for every player. Everyone has their own aims and ambitions and mine is to try and hold down a regular spot in the same position this term."

Fleck has managed to give glimpses of the undoubted quality he possesses at times, but he has been hampered in the respect that he has rarely played in what he considers to be his best position and hasn't had the luxury of playing a substantial amount of games back-to-back.

Indeed, as he prepares for the new campaign, getting a consistent run in the team is his biggest wish.

He explained: "I would love to get something like 10 games under my belt. It's difficult when you come in for a game here and a game there, or play on the left one game and maybe move somewhere else the next time.

"But you've got to remember Rangers are a massive club and have a lot of good players so you've got to show the manager that you deserve that opportunity.

"What is my best position? I'm always asked what my best position is and I would have to say either in the hole behind the strikers or striker, and also the middle of the park. They are the two positions where I really feel I would be at my strongest.

"But every one of the players here will tell you they'll play anywhere just to get a game and I'm the same. Ideally, I'd love a game in one of those two positions, but if I'm going to get a game by playing wide on the left or on the right then I'll gladly do it."

This time last year, Fleck was flying in pre-season and was on of his side's top performers during their pre-season tour of Australia.

But disaster struck on his return to Glasgow when he suffered a hamstring injury in a friendly fixture with Clyde and it ruled him out of action for the first couple of months of the season.

"That was a huge blow," added Fleck. "I worked hard on my own fitness during last summer and felt the benefits when we started back training at Murray Park. I felt really fit and I was really pleased with how things went during the games in Australia.

"It's good when you are feeling sharp and playing well and I couldn't wait for the start of the new season because I was going into it feeling confident.

"However, a couple of days after coming back from Australia I played in a game against Clyde and pulled a hamstring. It was a long flight home and, in hindsight, maybe it played a part in me picking up the injury.

"Unfortunately, that was me out injured and it can take you a while to get back to the level where you want to be at. I was out for a couple of months, but by that time most of the lads had played a number of matches and had a chance to secure a place in the team."

Fleck will always be indebted to Walter Smith for handing him his debut at Rangers and playing him in the big matches he did, but he says he now has to prove himself all over again to the new man at the helm.

"It's a fresh start for everyone," said Fleck. "Walter Smith was great with everyone here and it was fantastic for him to be able to walk away having won the league championship and also the League Cup.

"But Ally has now taken over and everyone has to impress him because he'll be the man who makes the decisions and decides who is playing and who isn't playing.

"It's a new challenge for him and all of the boys are determined to enjoy another successful season and hopefully win more silverware."