The 17-year-old, who signed a new contract with Rangers this summer, scored in the recent 4-3 youth team victory over Ajax in Holland and was delighted to answer fans’ questions for the Rangers Youth Development Company.
Q – Alan Douglas – Hi James, What drives you forward as a young player to be as successful as you can?
A – Playing in front of 50,000 at Ibrox every week and competing for titles.
Q – Chris Smith – James what has been your fav goal you have seen Rangers score and who do you admire in the current squad?
A – Fav goal – I would say Ryan Jack’s goal against Celtic last year. It was a great atmosphere after it.
A – I look up to Borna Barisic – he plays in the same position, he has quality and hits a good free-kick.
Q – Tom – Hi James If you could take one skill from Borna – Flano & Andy Halliday to your game what would they be?
A – Borna Barisic would be his crossing ability, Andy Halliday I would say his passing range and vision and John Flanagan his strength in the tackle.
Q – Mary Smith – What are some of the sacrifices you’ve had to make in order to get to where you are now?
A – You dedicate a lot of time when you want to be a professional footballer. And you can’t do a lot of the things your friends do. You have to work hard all the time.
Q – Pedro – What do you think of Ryan Kent coming back and what can you learn from him?
A – It is great for the club he is back. He was one of the main players last season. I can learn how to defend against someone of his quality on the wing.
Q – Alex – Where do you see yourself in three years?
A – I would obviously like to be playing in the first team by that time. It is difficult to look too far ahead though and I must keep working hard at the academy.
Q – Nick – Which player in the first team do you model your game on? Also, who in the first team has been the biggest help to you?
A – I would say Borna Barisic for his attacking quality.
The players who have helped me are Greg Docherty and Andy Halliday. They both really helped me when I trained with the first team.
Q – Edge Barrington – what is your pre-match meal?
A – It depends on the game time really. If it’s a lunchtime or early afternoon game I would have scrambled egg on toast. And chicken or pasta if it is an evening game.
Q – James Black – What has been the biggest lesson you have learned in your time at Rangers?
A – You have to win every match in a Rangers shirt. The mentality here is you must win all the time and that was my biggest learning curve.
Q – Sir M Elliot – Who has the worst chat in the dressing room?
A – I would say Ben Williamson – just rubbish banter!
Q – Singapore Loyal RSC – Which of the senior players have you learned the most from?
A – Andy Halliday – I have not been with the first team that much but Andy has helped me. And as I said before Greg Docherty and Borna Barisic.
Q – 4 Lads Had A Dream – Hi James, what is your immediate hopes and plans for your Rangers career?
A – I would obviously like to break into the first team as quickly as I can. Making my first team debut is definitely one of my targets.
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