Rangers youngster Nathan Patterson said his first taste of competitive action had left him hungry for further starts with the Ibrox side.
The 18-year-old was handed his first-team debut by Steven Gerrard from the start of the 2-0 win over Stranraer in the Scottish Cup.
On his Ibrox bow, Patterson impressed, building on his display against Lokomotiv Tashkent in a bounce game during the club’s winter break in Dubai.
Reflecting on his debut, Patterson said: “It was surreal, walking out in front of 40,000 fans for the club I love, it was just a great feeling.
“Over in Dubai I just did my best, I got a start against Lokomotiv Tashkent and played well.
“I’d hoped that would be enough to get the starting place against Stranraer.”
Patterson is in the frame for further run-outs in the coming weeks as first-choice right-back James Tavernier is sidelined with an appendix problem.
The academy graduate insists he’s ready if called upon.
He added: “I’m just taking each day as it comes, doing my best and hopefully I can take any opportunity that comes my way.
“I’ve shown I can play in front of 40,000 fans and more, it’s what I want to be doing.
“I always try to make an impression, no matter if he’s in the team or not. I just need to do what I need to do and hopefully I can go far.
“I’ve been here for ten years, I’ve now made my debut and want to keep pushing on.”
Patterson was joined against Stranraer by fellow academy graduate Kai Kennedy, who made his first-team debut from the bench.
Kennedy, 17, reflected on a moment to remember as he replaced Joe Aribo for the closing moments.
He said: “It was a dream come true, that’s the moment I’ve been working for over the last seven, eight years.
“The nerves and excitement were unbelievable.
“We’ve grown up together so I was proud of him and he was proud of me, it was great.
“The two of us drive together every day, we do everything together and it was a dream come true for both of us.”
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