BAILEY Rice is hoping to put a difficult year behind him as he looks forward to the future, having agreed a new contract with Rangers.
The 19-year-old signed a one-year extension, with the option of another year, and insists his focus is on looking ahead and showing what he can do on the pitch.
In an exclusive interview with RangersTV after signing his new deal, Rice said: “I always knew where my head was at, and I feel like I can show more than I already have. I spoke with my family, and we always knew this was the right place for me.
“It feels like I have been here longer than four years, to be honest. I have had some great moments, but I have also had some of the hardest moments of my career with injury, but that can only make me a better player.”
Those big moments for Rice include featuring in the UEFA Europa League at Old Trafford and starting in the quarter-final of the same competition against Athletic Bilbao.
He says those experiences were vital for his development and hopes for more in the future. He added: “They were massive for me, especially at such a young age, sometimes I forgot how young I am!
“The Old Trafford one was amazing, but they are in the past now, and I am looking forward. All players will say this, it’s all about what is next.”
Last season, the midfielder suffered an injury in training, which required a hamstring operation, but he hopes his hard work behind the scenes can stand him in good stead ahead of the new campaign.
He continued: “When it happened, I felt a pop, and it was something I had never felt before. I went for a scan, and it came back as quite a major injury.
“It has not been plain sailing in my rehab, but I have kept my head down, and I have worked really hard, so hopefully it will be worth it this season.
“You can only prepare for what’s next. I feel really good, probably the best I have felt, a lot fitter and a lot sharper.
“I just want to get as much game time as possible. It is really important at my age especially and coming off an injury, you need to get game time, so I'm looking forward to this season.”
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