ROSS MCCRORIE reckons the pressure of playing at Ibrox will help him in Portsmouth’s promotion push this term.

The midfielder made the move to Fratton Park last month and will spend the coming campaign south of the border.

McCrorie would have seen his first team chances limited under boss Steven Gerrard following the arrivals of Steven Davis and Joe Aribo this summer.

But now he has a chance to get regular first team football under his belt as Kenny Jackett’s side bid for promotion from League One.

Pompey missed out on a place in the Championship last season as Sunderland beat them in the play-off semi-finals.

And McCrorie is determined to play his part in helping them go further in the coming months as boss Jackett looks to build his team around the 21-year-old.

McCrorie said: “The size of the club was what attracted me to Portsmouth. That and the fan base.

“I’ve heard from all the staff how good the fans are and that was a big factor in the move.

“I’ve been playing with the demands of the Rangers fans in front of 50,000 and I know the Portsmouth fans will be demanding wins as well.

“We need to get the club back into the Championship. I feel I’ve grown up with pressure at Rangers and dealing with that is something I pride myself on. It’s something I embrace.”

Boss Gerrard insisted last weekend that McCrorie still has a bright future at Ibrox after he sanctioned a move that will see him play week in, week out in the coming campaign.

The Scotland Under-21 internationalist made his breakthrough two years ago after Pedro Caixinha handed him his debut against Partick Thistle.

And he would go on to become an impressive performer for the Light Blues under the guidance of Graeme Murty.

The first term under Gerrard was frustrating at times for McCrorie as he battled with the likes of Scott Arfield and Ryan Jack for a starting berth.

But he is confident his Ibrox experience will help him thrive for Portsmouth as he looks to go from strength to strength.

McCrorie said: “I’ve played nearly 60 games at Rangers. I was given my chance a couple of years ago - and I’ve not looked back.

“I’ve played in Old Firm games and picked up a few victories in them this year as well. I’ve played in a lot of big games and that will hold me in good stead.

“I had loans when I was a youngster but that was when I was a young puppy before I established myself at Rangers.

“But this is a totally different situation. I’m coming to England to establish myself at Portsmouth. I want to get the club up into the Championship.”