Ross McCrorie isn’t bitter about being sidelined at Rangers because he reckons this season has been the making of him.
The 21-year-old has lost just once in 24 appearances in a Light Blues shirt this campaign with the only blemish on this record coming in the 1-0 defeat by Rapid Vienna in the Europa League last December.
McCrorie was then the standout performer in the Old Firm triumph over Celtic later that month but has since found himself playing second fiddle to Glen Kamara after his arrival from Dundee in January.
The lack of first-team action for Steven Gerrard’s men has baffled Gers supporters who saw him impress on a start in the 4-2 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie last month.
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McCrorie has not featured for his club for nearly a month with his last outing coming against Dundee in a 4-0 win at Ibrox.
But far from being resentful the starlet is taking it all in his stride because he has faith in boss Gerrard’s methods and reckons he is 10 times the player he was last season now he’s realised his strength lies
in midfield.
McCrorie said: “It’s part and parcel of football. I trust the manager and we’ll see what happens. I feel I’m developing really well.
“I’m a far better player than I was last season and at the start of the season especially with the run of playing a lot of games. I feel like I’m 10 times the player I was. I’ve improved massively.
“I’ve nailed the positional question too – I’m a midfielder. I feel more natural in midfield, a more rounded player. I’ve improved near enough every aspect of my game.
“Partly because of playing and because I’ve been putting the extra work in at training.
“I’ve been doing the wee extra bits with coaches and in the gym. I’ve been brought up to always work hard.”
McCrorie reckons his fierce competitive streak comes from vying with his twin brother Robby for the football limelight when they were growing up.
He said: “That’s just part of my mentality. I don’t want to lose anything even coming away with Scotland.
“I don’t want to lose games in training, a tackle or a 50-50 or making that pass. I just want to be a winner.
“I’ve been that way since primary school. I’ve always been competitive. When it comes to football it doesn’t need to be pretty – do what it takes to win.
“Wherever you go you’ve got to be a winner. My brother Robby’s the same. We’ve been competitive all our lives and measure ourselves against each other. It keeps the motivation and standards high.”
McCrorie is in Marbella on international duty with Scot Gemmill’s Under-21 squad this week.
He will skipper the side in two friendlies with Mexico today and Sweden on Monday.
McCrorie hopes to use the international game time wisely in a bid to force his way back into Gerrard’s starting 11.
He is relishing the extra responsibility and the chance to lead by example as captain of his country during the week-long break in Spain.
McCrorie said: “Coming away here I’m getting experience and playing against really talented players which is all going to make me a better player.
“I’ve spoken to the Rangers manager when I am not playing. We’ll talk about movement but it’s mostly down to watching clips.
“We get told different ways to move in games with rotation. Most of it is just down to players wanting to improve.
“Leading by example is the role of a captain. We’ve all gelled really well. Jamie Brandon was at Rangers and Sean Mackie was on trial so I knew a few of them already.
“The standard of player is really high. We’ve got quite an experienced squad. Mexico will show if we can compete against these so-called big teams.”
