ONE dreams of lifting the Claret Jug, the other has his sights set on the Premiership title. Jack McDonald has just signed the contract that could set him on the fairway to golfing glory, while Tom Walsh has twelve months to prove he deserves another Rangers deal.

For the Ibrox kid, the coming season is one of opportunity and he knows he must make the most of any that he is given. The same can be said for his cousin, who has just joined the Chubby Chandler stable that has nurtured the likes of Louis Oosthuizen, Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood and Danny Willett in recent years.

The skill sets and the rewards are different, yet the desire to succeed is the same as the pair prepare for a crucial few months on the course and on the park. The next time they meet at a family gathering, both hope to have tales of triumph to tell and reasons to be optimistic for the future.

“He has just gone pro,” Walsh said of Walker Cup star McDonald. “He is here, there and everywhere – I can’t keep up where he is. He’s in Dubai one week and Hong Kong the next – it’s ridiculous.

“It’s brilliant for Jack and I’m delighted for him, although I haven’t seen him for a while. It’s good when we meet at family events because we have a good chat and feed off each other, even although it’s different sports, because there are a lot of similarities. I have watched him a few times and his concentration is another level. Our game is all instinct but golf is all about concentration and focus.

“It’s the real deal for him now, obviously. He has left Uni and he’s gone pro so hopefully he can kick on. He played football when he was younger and he has been to a few of my games, especially at Ibrox where he loves the atmosphere. You would have to ask him if he is slightly in awe of me but it’s good to have someone like that in the family to feed off.”

While McDonald travels the world in search of prize money, ranking points and silverware, Walsh has own trip to enjoy this summer. After returning to Ibrox from a loan spell with Dumbarton, he has joined Mark Warburton’s side in South Carolina as Rangers step up their preparations for the new campaign.

The winger burst onto the scene as Rangers saw their Championship promotion dreams dashed under the guidance of Stuart McCall and then had to watch on from afar as Warburton’s side finally got the job done last term.

While the Gers were entertaining on their way to the second tier title, Walsh was impressing on loan at the Rock as he looked to get vital game time under his belt. He has seen life on the other side of the Auchenhowie gates and now he is determined to prove his worth at Ibrox.

“This is a make or break year for me,” Walsh said. “I have one year left on my contract. I would love to earn another one and hopefully it’s here. I know it’s going to be tough with a lot of big names and good players coming in. I’ve just got to do my best and hopefully it’s good enough to catch the manager’s eye.

“When he told me I was going out on loan to Dumbarton he told me to stay fit and come back to pre-season and then it would be a level playing field. You’ve got to take that on-board and go and show you should be involved.”

Walsh was out of sight but not out of mind last term. After doing his time away from Ibrox, he must now make an impression on Warburton in the coming weeks and months.

The wide berth that was occupied by Barrie McKay last season is one of the spots that the winger will set his sights on when Rangers bid for Premiership glory. McKay will provide the competition, but also the incentive and motivation after returning from Raith Rovers and become a key part of the Warburton blueprint.

“Absolutely, he’s an inspiration,” Walsh said. “The gaffer said that to me; everyone has to look at Barrie - not just at Rangers, but throughout Scottish football. Credit to Barrie because he came back to Rangers and stepped up another level and got himself a Scotland call up.

“It was a great season for him, fair play to him for that. Everyone must look to that and think being on loan is not the end of the world and you’ve got to make the most of it because when you come back you’ve got to be ready to push on the way Barrie did. You’ve got to look up to him for that.”