Rangers youngster Fraser Aird insists he has no complaints over his four-month wait for a first-team start.
The Canadian-born 18-year-old made 21 appearances for the Ibrox men last term but has struggled to nail down a place this season.
It took the winger until Monday night's 3-0 win over Arbroath at Gayfield before he could finally force his way into Ally McCoist's starting XI.
Last season, the Light Blues boss had to rely on youngsters such as Aird, Barry McKay and Chris Hegarty to see them through the club's year-long transfer embargo for going into liquidation.
But after the ban on signing new players was lifted, McCoist was able to bring in a raft of Premiership-quality signings such as 17-goal striker Jon Daly and Motherwell playmaker Nicky Law.
They have helped fire the club to the top of League One with 13 straight wins and Aird admits he and his teenage mates always knew it would a tougher job getting a game this time round.
He said: "We knew it was going to be harder to make our mark this season because the gaffer has signed some brilliant players in the summer.
"They showed against Arbroath what they can do, with big Jon Daly and Nicky Clark banging in the goals and Nicky Law pulling the strings in the middle of the park.
"The boys have been doing well and are unbeaten in the league so far, so the gaffer isn't going to change a winning team.
"Obviously it is harder to get in the side now but the gaffer has told all us young lads to keep training well and that's what I've been doing - biding my time.
"I got my time against Arbroath and hopefully I can kick on from there."
Daly and Clark were both on target against the Red Lichties as they netted either side of Bradley Donaldson's own goal.
McCoist praised Scotland Under-19 cap Aird after Monday's win, claiming he was "terrific" before adding: "Fraser was in the starting line-up on merit, because he has been training great and looking good in practice games."
And Aird was delighted to get his boss' backing.
He said: "It was great to be back in the team for the Arbroath game. It was my first start and I've had to wait a wee while to get my chance.
"I've been playing with the Under-20s mostly and had a few appearances off the bench for the first team. But the gaffer told me to keep myself ready and that I would get my chance.
"He was true to his word and gave me my chance against Arbroath and I thought I took it well."
The Ibrox men now face Championship side Falkirk in Saturday's Scottish Cup fourth round clash hoping to avoid another early exit after falling at the first hurdle in the League Cup to League One rivals Forfar.
Aird added: "We've got another massive game at the weekend in the cup and hopefully I can been involved again. We want to do well in that competition so it's important we go out and do well again."
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