Rangers kid James Maxwell has pledged to play his way into the Ibrox reckoning – by starring on loan at Ayr United.
The 19-year-old has returned to Somerset Park, where he spent four years as a youth, on a season-long deal.
And the highly-rated left-back wants to catch the eye of boss Steven Gerrard in his bid to challenge Borna Barisic back in Govan.
He told the Ayrshire Post: "I'm desperate to come here and show what I can do.
"I've been in and around the first team at Rangers during the summer but the aim for me at this stage is to be playing games.
"It's not an easy job pushing a Croatian international – I've seen easier jobs in football – but obviously the main target is to challenge Borna long term.
"Hopefully I can come here and catch the eye."
Maxwell, who grew up in Ayr and attended Alloway Primary and Belmont Academy, moved to Falkirk as a teenager when his family upped sticks.
And that ended his association with the United Academy at a time his talent was blossoming.
He said: "It was just the way things happened with my dad's job that I had to leave.
"But he's a big Ayr fan and has been desperate for this deal to happen, so he's chuffed.
"I looked at the manager's record when he was at Livingston and Morton.
"I felt he left both of them in good positions and he improves players wherever he goes.
"So that was a big part in my decision in coming here."
Maxwell, who earned rave reviews during a loan stint at fellow Championship side Queen of the South last term, added: "Stephen Kelly was obviously here and spoke really highly of the club.
"He said it was a great place and the fans were brilliant with him.
"I also spoke to Josh McPake, who worked under the gaffer when he was at Morton, and he spoke really highly of him.
"Everybody knows that you need to work hard if you want to play for him.
"I've only had one training session and been really impressed by the intensity and the standard."
Now Maxwell will go straight in at the deep end as he bids to help his boyhood club to a victory over their bitter rivals in the Ayrshire derby this Monday night.
He said: "I've been to Rugby Park a couple of times as a supporter so I know what the rivalry means.
"And I remember watching the Betfred Cup game when Andy Geggan scored.
"It would be great to go out and repeat that next week."
Boss Hopkin added: "James will offer us something different and gives us extra options down that left hand side. He is very highly regarded at Rangers and has a bright future.”
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
