ROSS MCCRORIE missed some of the biggest days of his time as a Rangers fan to give himself the best possible chance of realising his Ibrox dream.

Now the 20-year-old is determined to have an Old Firm memory to savour after a nightmare run during his first campaign in Light Blue.

McCrorie featured in four derby clashes last term but only had a minor reason to celebrate as Graeme Murty’s side earned a battling goalless draw at Parkhead in December.

His other three outings – two in the Premiership and one in the Scottish Cup – were lost by an 11-0 aggregate as Celtic strolled to a second consecutive Treble under Brendan Rodgers.

For a lifelong Gers fan, the defeats were hard to take for McCrorie and few in the Ibrox dressing room would have been hurting more as blow after blow was inflicted.

It is now six years since Rangers have beaten Celtic on league duty and if Steven Gerrard’s side have serious title ambitions this term, that record must come to an end on Saturday.

With the overwhelming majority of Ibrox behind them, McCrorie knows as well as anyone what is at stake for the second Old Firm showdown of the season.

"It's frustrating, especially as a fan myself,” McCrorie said. “I grew up a Rangers fan and that's what every fan wants - to beat Celtic.

"That (having more home supporters) is great for us to have the backing of the fans who have been there all season.

"I never got to [the Old Firm games] because I was always playing with the youth teams. I went to a couple but I didn't go all the time because I was always training or playing.

"We've had a long six months and we still have a long season ahead. Obviously, every team can do better so we have things to improve on and we will do that. We have to have a big performance.

"We have a lot of quality too, we have a good squad of players and we will see what happens at the weekend."

The emergence of McCrorie was one of the few silver linings in a season of dark clouds for Rangers as Pedro Caixinha was sacked and Murty failed to stop the Celtic juggernaut.

He has come to the fore once again in recent weeks and is poised for a fifth Old Firm appearance as Gerrard looks to guide his side to a much-needed victory on home soil.

The midfielder has more derby experience than the majority of his team-mates and is relishing another chance to be involved in the famous fixture once again.

McCrorie said: "I've learned not to get too carried away with the highs and the lows and to always stay level headed and be confident and have belief in myself.

"You get that (caught up) in Old Firm games but that is part and parcel of being an Old Firm player, you have got to stay level headed and focus on the game.

"All the boys have played in massive games but this is what every footballer thrives to play in an Old Firm game and this is why they came to Rangers to play in these games.

"I am not bothered about individual games, I would rather play badly and win then I would be happy."

Rangers will head into the Celtic clash on the back of the 1-1 draw with Hibernian on Boxing Day as two crucial points were allowed to slip through their grasps at Ibrox.

The disappointment of the result was clear for McCrorie and there was little satisfaction about a solid personal showing that earned him the Man of the Match award.

After a spell where he struggled for match time, he has made the most of the chance he has been given in recent weeks and proven his promise once again for Rangers.

"I feel confident and comfortable and I feel a far better player than I was at the start of the season,” McCrorie said. “I feel the coaches I have behind us have helped me improve.

"I have done a lot of stuff with Gary McAllister. Tommy Culshaw and Michael Beale in training. Little things have been added to my game. Just like switching of play, my body shape and coming for the ball, little details.

"I feel as if I am a totally different player but that's just because I have gained more experience. It's not about me, I want to help the team go forward and take responsibility and do as best we can.”

The loss of two Premiership points was not the only cost that boss Gerrard was counting on Wednesday and he will continue to assess his walking wounded as attentions turn to the Celtic showdown.

Gerrard could be without a handful of first team starters this weekend but McCrorie knows the Gers have to regroup and recover for their most significant 90 minutes of the season so far.

"That (the injuries) is not as excuse, we have a good enough squad to go and put on a show and a performance and we will see what happens at the weekend,” he said. “I am fine and raring to go.

"We are going to go out and play our own game and focus on ourselves. We will do our analysis on Celtic but we will see what happens.

"Every game is a must win. We are playing for Rangers, we need to win every game, especially if we want to challenge for the title.

"We are disappointed [with the result against Hibs] and we need to take our chances and not shoot ourselves in the foot. We have to clear up our mistakes."