Rangers have boasted of a pathway allowing their youngsters the opportunity to turn out with the big boys.

Nathan Patterson is arguably the highest profile player to walk that path but there are others following his lead in the likes of Ciaran Dickson, who debuted for the first-team in the Betfred Cup this season, and Leon King who made the bench for Gers in their Europa League last-16 clash with Slavia Prague.

Another of the clubs' promising kids is Ben Williamson, who is taking a different route, hopefully, on his way to stardom. The midfielder is currently tearing it up in the Scottish Championship on loan at Arbroath and enjoying every minute. The competitive edge which comes from playing against men instead of boys in the academy set-up is exactly what Williamson wants.

Part of a side who went eight games unbeaten before a recent defeat to Queen of the South, Williamson earned man of the match in six of those fixtures. But it's not personal accolades he's after. Williamson, 19, wants to be part of the action. He wants to learn what it takes to be part of a men's team, battling for points every single week. Fighting to be top dogs.

It's that exact mind set that is most likely to lead him where he eventually wants to be, which is in the engine room of a well-oiled Rangers first-team alongside the players he has idolised and those he looks up to.

"I go into every game with the same head no matter who I'm playing against," he told H&T Sport. "It's how I've been brought up. You have to act the same in every match, if it's training or it's a friendly, you just have to want to win everything.

"I was playing in B-teams which was a good experience but I wanted to play in the men's game environment with training and in the changing room. I wanted to get more experience under my belt so that if I do get in the Rangers first-team I'll know what I'll be up against, rather than with B-teams."

Williamson has been with his boyhood club since he was eight-years-old and the ambition has never wavered. He has been part of training sessions with the current first-team, an aspect of his young football career he considers a dream. He has seen the bad times and the good. He has worked with top players and coaches and has spent time in the company of club legends.

So when he's asked who his absolute favourite player is in world football, he doesn't namecheck the Lionel Messis or Cristiano Ronaldos of the world. No, a Glasgow boy he is. "I like watching Glen Kamara all the time and how he gets on the ball," he said.

"Then there's Steven Davis and his awareness, his passing. It's really just Rangers players because I watch their games as I'm a fan. Ryan Jack is another. It's the whole midfield, really, because they've all got top attributes. I just need to watch them to see what I can do, I can only improve by watching these guys.

"I was at Rangers when things weren't going so well so it's massive to see how good the environment is now and how much players are coming in, experienced players like (Jermain) Defoe, and even Steven Gerrard being here is mental. From where we were as a club to where we are now. Especially growing up a Rangers fan.

"I've been around the first-team a few times and we had a training game B-team against first-team, just a wee 45 minutes but it was great to play against them and see their standards, what the demand is on the pitch.

"I was really close with Lee Wallace when he was here and he was great with us when he was with the B-team for a bit. He took me under his wing a bit, told me to keep pushing and always get better every day. It was good when he was there.

"I'm always on the phone to Kevin Thomson who was my coach with the B-team. We talk and he gives me advice on what I need to improve on. That's always what we talk about because we know what I can do, but it's always about the negatives to make me better every game. We do Zoom calls and analysis on my games and it's great keeping things ticking over with him. He's someone to look up to as he's been around it all."

Arbroath boss Dick Campbell, Williamson says, has been the perfect manager to work with during his spell away from Glasgow. The legendary Scottish gaffer has allowed him the freedom to express himself. Williamson claims he is perhaps known for his ability to do the dirty stuff in the middle of the park. But at the Red Lichties he admits even he has been shocked at his forward-thinking. It's just one of the reasons he has a handful of top clubs around the UK and beyond keeping an eye on his every move.

He hopes that will take him to that next level, though he understands he's still got some way to go. It all comes back to the pathway, though, and Williamson is quietly confident he can be the next kid to make it under Gerrard in the Rangers first-team.

"My main focus is going back to Rangers because I'm a massive supporter. I want to step onto the park at Ibrox, that would be my dream. And boys like Nathan and Ciaran making their debuts shows there is a route. If you do well they'll give you a chance, Leon King just made his debut already at 17 so it proves there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

"I've spoken to Gerrard before games because he would come and watch our 18s games all the time. I've spoken with him and he's just told me to keep impressing and I'd get my chance one day. That's sort of more proof that if you're doing well they won't be afraid to chuck you in at the deep end. Especially under a manager who has won the Champions League.

"I'm hoping to get pre-season with the first-team if I can keep doing well. I'd also be happy with a higher loan maybe at the bottom end of the Premiership. I love Arbroath and the club but they're only part-time so it would maybe nice to get somewhere full-time to get some more experience. That or being with the first-team if at all possible."