Lyall Cameron couldn't have picked a better time to score his first Rangers goal. Not long after his team's aggregate lead over Viktoria Plzen was cut to just two on Tuesday evening, the central midfielder netted from close range to alleviate any mounting pressure.
Russell Martin's men conceded again late on, but it ultimately wasn't enough for their place in the Champions League play-offs against Club Brugge to be jeopardised.
"It is a massive moment for me and I think it came at a good time," said Cameron of his first Rangers goal. "It's amazing and a really proud moment for me and my family. To score in a Champions League qualifier is a massive moment, so I am delighted.
"In the game as a whole, we weren't as good as we wanted to be, and we know that the performance wasn't as good as the manager demands. I think there are still a lot of positives to take, we're through to the next round.
"There's a lot of building to do and progress to be made. I think we've really bought into the manager's style and what he wants to do. Once we do implement it properly, it will be a really exciting brand of football the fans love. We just need to keep doing what he wants to do, and we will get better.
"He is always demanding that he wants more and he wants better. That's the type of guy he is and we've really bought into it. We know the levels he demands and tonight [Tuesday] wasn't good enough as a whole performance.
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"At the end of the day we need to look at the positives. We are through into the last round of the Champions League qualifiers and there is that to look forward to. Again, we know there is a lot of work to be done."
Cameron signed for Rangers upon the expiration of his contract at Dundee earlier this summer. The move was sanctioned by one of current head coach Russell Martin's predecessors, Philippe Clement. That naturally sowed seeds of doubt in the 22-year-old's mind when he initially moved to Glasgow.
"I didn't expect to be in the team as early as I have been when I first came in," Cameron continued. "The manager didn't sign me, and I wasn't his player. I had to prove to him what I wanted to do, and he has backed me.
"It's great, I have really enjoyed working with him and I think what he wants to implement will be really good once we get it properly in our games, it will be a really good style of football.
"I think I have a lot more to give to be honest and I think the way the manager wants to play will suit my style, I want to get on the ball, run, score goals. That [goal] today [Tuesday] was only a tap-in, but I was in the right position as a midfielder, getting in the box and hoping something drops for you. I have a lot more to give and I am looking forward to showing what I can do."
Cameron has spoken widely of the step up in level from Dundee to Rangers since his move. He now plays and trains with some of the best players in the country daily. In his eyes, goalkeeper Jack Butland undoubtedly fits into that category and played a key role in ensuring progression against Plzen.
"I have always thought he was a great goalie," admitted Cameron. "I remember the first time I went to Ibrox with Dundee I thought I'd scored in the first minute and he pulled off a worldie save, so I was raging at him for that, and I've already pulled him up on that.
"Honestly, the way he carries himself about the training ground, he is really good to look up to because he's a bit older than me and has been to a lot of great places and clubs in his career. He's a great goalie, probably over the ties, we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him, so he has been great."
Rangers return to action this Saturday as they welcome Alloa Athletic to Ibrox in the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup. Martin is still in search of his first domestic win as boss.
"I think it will be more against a low block than tonight [Tuesday]," said Cameron. "At this football club, you need to win every game, I think I’ve learnt that quite early on. You need to do that. Hopefully, we will get through."
