It takes something special to drag most 17-year-olds away from their computer games.

In Ryan Hardie's case, it involved a phone call from the Rangers management to tell him to quit wasting time playing FIFA 14 on his console and be part of the real thing.

The youngster was handed a surprise debut in the Ibrox side's 3-1 League Cup win over Falkirk, replacing Dean Shiels with four minutes remaining and playing a part in the final goal of the night.

Somehow, you sense returning to his virtual world within his bedroom may never be quite the same again. "I've been a Rangers fan all my life and it was just a dream come true," said Hardie. "It is the best feeling in the world. I was meant to be in the under-20s squad heading for Dundee, but I got a phone call late afternoon on Monday to say I was in the squad for Falkirk.

"I was lying in my flat playing FIFA. I just left the game running. I can't even remember if I was winning. The night before the game, I couldn't sleep at all through excitement. It was a massive shock to be involved at all, let alone get on the pitch."

Hardie's family were present at Falkirk to witness his big moment and he admits he could never have made it to this stage without their assistance.

"My mum, dad, granny and grandpa all took turns to drive me up to training and games," he said. "They were all at Falkirk and it's brilliant to pay them back."