Rangers midfielder Nicky Law admits none of the Ibrox club's big summer signings can take their place for granted with youngsters like Fraser Aird fighting for a starting spot.
The 18-year-old Canadian-born Scotland Under-19s winger was a pivotal member of the squad that won the Third Division title last season.
But alongside the likes of Barrie Mackay and Robbie Crawford, he found himself looking on from the sidelines at the start of the current campaign when boss Ally McCoist brought in nine summer signings - including former Motherwell man Law.
Aird, though, has continued to battle for his place and was rewarded for his determination with a starting slot in the Gers' 4-0 romp over League One rivals Dunfermline on Monday.
And he made the most of his opportunity by firing home the opener at East End Park, while Crawford netted the fourth after coming on as a second-half sub.
Law said: "These young lads are pushing the older guys all the time. Fraser came in against Dunfermline and as he has done over the past few weeks, he took his opportunity really well.
"He was a bright spark for us at East End Park and made things happen with his direct running and things like that. I'm delighted for him to get the goal that got things off and running for us."
The Fife triumph was pay back for supporters left disappointed by the 1-1 draw with Stranraer on Boxing Day which robbed the club of the chance to complete the third-tier season with a 100 per cent record.
But with a 14-point lead over the Pars and a game in hand, Law believes the level of criticism that followed the draw with the Stair Park outfit was harsh.
He said: "We were deeply hurt by the Stranraer performance. We were poor and we know that. Stranraer deserved their point but we needed to respond and we did that against Dunfermline.
"We dropped two points last week and it was like the end of the world. We certainly deserved the criticism but maybe it was an over-reaction we got.
"However, it was the right way to bounce back. We knew our lead could be cut to eight points or go up to 14 with a game in hand. Fortunately it went in our favour."
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