Resurgent Ross McCrorie has been handed his chance to go and land the right-back slot for keeps at Portsmouth.
The Rangers loanee has endured a frustrating spell on the south coast with injuries and suspension leading to him being in and out of the team.
But McCrorie has been backed by boss Kenny Jackett to make his big opportunity after leaping to the front of the queue to start.
The Scotland U21 international has reinvented himself with Pompey after playing the majority of his career as a central defender and defensive midfielder.
Jackett told the Portsmouth News : “I think Ross is ready. He is now ahead of James Bolton.
“Generally, if you are looking at Ross, you can definitely see there’s a player there.
“He’s not quite had a run, there has been a sending off, substitution and injury, but I still see a player and there is a lot of the season to go.
“Hopefully he is able to crack on now. It is his to lose.”
And the added versatility will surely be welcomed by Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard when he returns to his parent club in the summer.
