IT has been a case of one step forward and two back at times for Jack Thomson. Now, though, he is ready to stride into the Rangers first team.

The midfielder has emerged as one of the brightest young talents within the Light Blues ranks and his performances and potential have not gone unnoticed by boss Steven Gerrard.

It is in the Under-20 ranks where he will have to continue to prove himself, for now, as he looks to make the improvements required to earn him a first team berth.

It is a challenge that Thomson is more than ready for mentally. Crucially, he feels he is now physically able to prove his worth as well.

“I am delighted with how the season is going for me,” Thomson told SportTimes. “I have had a few problems with injuries in the past but now I am enjoying my football again and I am really happy. I am buzzing.

“I like that the gaffer and his staff come and watch our games, that gives us a lot of confidence, and we get chances to train with the first team as well. I just want more of that and more chances to progress.

“It has been really stop start at times, so I would get an injury, come back and then pick up another one. It was all due to growing. I am over that now and I am really pleased to be back playing.

“You appreciate it more because it is difficult when you are coming in every day and you are not able to play. You appreciate so much more when you are playing.”

Time out of the game and off the park is frustrating for every player, but perhaps even more so for a youngster that is desperate to rise through the ranks and showcase his talent.

The moments that Thomson didn’t have a ball at his feet were tough. But he ensured every day was put to good use as he strives for success once again this season.

“It is so frustrating but you need to come in every day and work your hardest, even if that is not playing football,” he said.

“I still believe you can improve without actually playing football. You can visualise and analyse things, go to the gym, you can always improve yourself.

“Obviously it is not always easy to think like that and I have had down times due to injuries.

“But you grow from it a lot and I am in a better place now. Everything is good.

“I still wouldn’t want to go through what has happened but it has made me stronger. I was out of my comfort zone so I am able to deal with a lot more going forward now, which is a positive.

“You need to take the positives out of situations that happen. I believe that everything happens for a reason.”

Thomson has long been earmarked as a potential first team player at Ibrox and he was rewarded with a new contract last May that will keep him at Rangers until 2020.

He is one of a handful of kids at the Hummel Training Centre that have been involved with Gerrard’s squad this term as the 38-year-old keeps an eye on his up-and-coming talent.

After more than a decade within the Gers system, he is now ready to knock at the door. Whether it is at Rangers or elsewhere, he is determined to make a name for himself.

Thomson said: “It is never in your mind when you are that age, you are just playing football because you love it. I still do love it, but it has become a means to leave rather than just a hobby so it is a bit more serious.

“You have got to come in every day and love what you do and work your hardest to get your most out of it.

“A few years ago I said to myself that I was going to become a footballer and that nothing was going to get in the way of that. I don’t know what level that will be at yet obviously but I will do my best to make sure it is at a top level.

“It was never really in my mind to do anything other than football to be honest. I did do well at school, I got five Highers, but I picked what I enjoyed, not to do anything in particular because I was just so focused on being a footballer.

“That breakthrough could be round the corner, who knows? I just need to come in every day and work hard.”

It is unfortunate for Thomson that he is trying to break into an area of the side that is arguably the most competitive, both in terms of numbers and quality, at Ibrox.

Gerrard is not short of options in the middle of the park and Thomson and his Auchenhowie peers will have to bide their time as they bid for a breakthrough.

The Scotland kid will use his central rivals as inspiration, though, and learn from those around him and ahead of him.

Thomson said: “The manager has been brilliant with me, as have all the first team staff and players.

“There are a lot of midfielders so it helps that I can learn from them. It helps me a lot getting the tips from them and speaking to them.

“There are a lot of midfielders at the club right now so being a youth player in that position is really difficult because there as not as many chances as there might be in other positions.

“But, you are going to get that at big clubs and that is the way it is at Rangers. If you deserve to play, you will play and that is what I’m working towards.

“I like to take bits from all of them and try and add things to my own game. I don’t focus on one player in particular.

“I just try to do my own thing and take bits from all of them because they are all brilliant players.

“There are lots of different styles and guys like Scott Arfield and Graham Dorrans that have played at a top level.

“I can take lots from guys like Jordan Rossiter as well in terms of the way they conduct themselves off the pitch. I can learn from all of the midfielders but also players in every position on the park.”

* Rangers Academy midfielder Jack Thomson is pictured promoting a new Rangers Bricks offering – Ibrox Forever - from the Rangers Youth Development Company.

Ibrox Forever is a walkway of personalised engraved granite stones set in the ground around the perimeter of the stadium which are now available in small, large and premium classifications - priced from £60.

For decades, Rangers Bricks were placed directly onto walls around Ibrox and now RYDC has introduced the Ibrox Forever range which will be placed on the external walkway of the Broomloan Stand, with further stands to follow.

Since 2002, RYDC profits have been directed to Rangers Football Club’s youth programme and they continue to support the Academy through their ever-growing portfolio of products.

For more details on the Ibrox Forever range visit www.rydc.co.uk, call 0141 427 4914 or visit the RYDC office at Broomloan House.