BAILEY Rice is hoping he can earn more opportunities in Rangers first-team after officially making the step-up this campaign.
The 18-year-old was speaking to the media at this afternoon’s pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s Scottish Premiership match against Aberdeen.
With just three games remaining this season, Rice says it is important everyone uses these fixtures to show what they can do as the squad look to get back to winning ways at Ibrox.
He said: “The season hasn't gone how we wanted it to but it is down to the last three games, what we do in these next three games we can take into next season, but it is all about three points and we have got to get them.
“For me personally, this season has been good, I would’ve liked to have played more games, but I feel like I have taken my chances, and I have shown what I can do so hopefully next season I get more of them.
“People could say my progress has been slow, but at the end of the day this is Rangers. It is a lot harder and a lot more demanding than any other club, so I have been happy with how it has been.
“I have got confidence in myself, I always back myself, but at the end of the day it is up to the gaffer to decide who is in the starting eleven, and then the players have to go and show it.
“You don't want to just be a squad player or a bench player, you want to be playing, especially for this club I have supported my whole life. It is a dream every time that I play and hopefully I can take that into next season and see where it goes.”
Rice was handed his first European start for Rangers in the UEFA Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Bilbao and says he has learned a lot from head coach Barry Ferguson.
On the start in Europe, he continued: “It was brilliant, the gaffer filled me with a lot of confidence, especially showing that faith in a young player for a start at Ibrox in such a massive game for the club.
“He has been brilliant, he has been honest which I have really liked, and he has been on me. I have been working on what he has told me, and he has been brutally honest about parts of my game I can do better and the things I am doing well.
“You have always got a point to prove when you play for Rangers, showing the manager but also showing all the fans who come and watch the game every week they are not wasting their money, they are seeing quality on the pitch and seeing players that want to win for this club.”
Rice praised captain James Tavernier for his influence on and off the pitch, he continued: “Experienced guys like Tav have been brilliant with me, and Leon and Nico as well, giving me little insights in the game and it does help.
“Tav doesn’t get the credit he deserves, he is such a big personality, such a big player and he is amazing for the club.”