Larne are fresh from competing in UEFA Champions League qualification and will provide a stern test for a young Gers side which will include several Northern Irish faces.
Burnside, 17, is familiar with the strength of Larne having played against the club extensively at youth level for Linfield in previous years and says he’s relishing the opportunity to test himself against seasoned professionals.
Speaking to RangersTV ahead of tomorrow’s pre-season clash, the midfielder commented: “I’m really looking forward to it, getting back over and playing against Larne.
“I’ve played against them a good couple of times in my career so far, so it should be a good one.
“I’ve played against Larne’s youth sides a bunch, but it’ll be my first time playing against Larne’s first-team.
“They have been a very good team in the past couple of years so it’s going to be a very tough for us all.
“I actually played against Larne’s youth team in a league decider in the years before I moved to Rangers, which we actually won at Inver Park.
“There was a big crowd there and that was the last memory of playing against them.
“It will be a really physical game given we’re playing against seasoned professionals. The boys that we have in the dressing room are used to senior football.
“As a 17-year-old playing against 28 and 29-year-old men, it’s definitely a different challenge. But it’s one I’m looking forward to.”
Burnside joined the Rangers Academy as a 16-year-old just over a year ago, featuring prominently as the Under-18s lifted the Scottish Youth Cup in his debut campaign last term.
It is path that was trodden by Academy graduate Ross McCausland who, like Burnside, made the move to Glasgow from Linfield at the same age with aspirations of playing for the Gers first-team.
Having featured for the B Team in pre-season, including striking the opening goal against Blackpool earlier this month, the teenager insists he’s enjoying the step up in level.
He added: “I’ve really enjoyed it. The step up to the B Team is a different challenge; more physical and you need to move the ball quicker.
“My digs and the people around the club have made me feel so welcome since day one. I’m looking forward to this season.
“It was a very easy decision. I came over to train a couple of times and everyone made me feel welcome as a new boy coming in. I’m really thankful and it made it a really simple decision.
“My Dad was begging me to go, while my Mum doesn’t really know much about football so she just left it entirely up to me!
“As soon as the move came about then it was definitely just all about Rangers. It has always been one of my main ambitions to play for the first-team.”
Tickets are still available for Rangers supporters looking to secure their seat for tomorrow’s clash at Inver Park through the Fanbase app here.