Robby McCrorie saw himself becoming the Rangers number one some day. In fact, he still does even though he has long since moved on from the club.
The goalkeeper, now at Danish side Esbjerg fB after a summer loan move from Kilmarnock, was highly rated as a youngster at Ibrox and even tipped by Steven Gerrard to become the main man behind the sticks.
But he was always playing second fiddle and took the decision to eventually leave the club in search or regular first-team football. He moved to Rugby Park last summer.
After a stop-start season where he was mostly No.1 but in and out due to injury, he fulfilled a dream of heading for the continent this summer.
His ultimate dream though? To end up back at Rangers and play week-in-week-out this time.
He told the Sunday Mail: “There’s something in me that I believe one day I can definitely go back there. Not just to be a Rangers goalkeeper - I want to be going back to be THE goalkeeper.
“I felt things were starting to align for me in 2023. I’d come through, had my loans, played well whenever I got the opportunity.
“I understood the circumstances of those games against Alashkert and Celtic in 2021. It was during COVID and Allan McGregor couldn’t play. But I went in and I proved myself.
“The following season, I played in the Old Firm and other big games and proved myself again.
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“It got to the point where I felt ready, that I was good enough. Then you've got a Rangers legend that's retiring and I was thinking ‘here’s an opportunity for the number one jersey’.
“I just felt like that was the moment, my time… but it didn't materialise.
“Growing up, I came through watching Greegsy. I remember the big saves, the big moments in Europe and Old Firm games.
“That's what being what a Rangers keeper is all about - producing the big moments.
“I felt I did that myself in the few games I played. So once he retired, I was thinking that the club would give me my opportunity."
McCrorie revealed the moment he knew he had to leave the club for the good of his own career - when Jack Butland was brought in as McGregor's replacement.
He added: “But as soon as I knew they were looking for another keeper, it was like, ‘nah’. That was it.
“Listen, working with Jack was really good. He’s got so much experience. We had a similar attitude in terms of what we'd put into training and our standards bounced off each other. I feel like I pushed him.
“That's all done now though. Right now I’ve got this chance with Esbjerg and I’m really looking forward to seeing where we can go.”
