ARRON LYALL says he can’t wait to sample Ibrox once again as Rangers B host AS Monaco B in an exciting clash in Govan on Saturday.
David McCallum’s side return to Ibrox for the first time this season, with the 20-year-old midfielder having fulfilled a childhood dream by scoring into the Broomloan Road end of the stadium in last season’s B Team Old Firm fixture.
Speaking exclusively to the official Rangers website, the 20-year-old midfielder is eager to repeat the feat this weekend: “We’re very excited for it. Monaco are a top team from France. It will be a different challenge to what we’re used to, and perhaps even from the clubs that we’ve played in England, so we’re excited to get going.
“It’s an unreal feeling playing at Ibrox. Although we haven’t played in front of maximum capacity, even just being there with 50,000 in the stadium is unbelievable. When you get a crowd at B Team level then it definitely spurs you on to do well.
“I remember my dad taking me to some of the games when I was younger. I didn’t get to many games, but whenever I could then he would take me along. Steven Naismith was my main idol growing up.
“When I was watching matches at Ibrox as a youngster, I was always wishing it could be me. You never really think it will be you, but when I got older I began to realise that it could be me. That’s when it starts to hit.
“It was an unbelievable experience [to score at Ibrox]. As soon as it hit the back of the net, I didn’t know what to do! I ended up running towards the side that fans weren’t even at before I changed direction and ran over to them. It’s a whirlwind in your mind and you don’t know what to think.”
Lyall has been a regular for the young Gers this season as they have embarked on a challenging games programmes encompassing matches at home and further afield.
The 20-year-old believes the variety of elite academy opposition suits his game as a cerebral midfielder, with Monaco set to provide another stern tactical test.
He continued: “It’s a different style of match. We will often play against teams in Scotland who will sit deep, and we need to deal with that, whereas when we play opposition such as Monaco who will press us, we need to adapt to what they do.
“It can become a bit of mind games because we’re all technical footballers playing the ball, so it’s more about thinking how to get past them by changing what you do.
“It’s always good to take a closer look in analysis and take more information on. You can only get so far with technical ability, but if you’re not clued into the tactical aspect then players can take advantage of it because they’re more intelligent.
“I don’t think there is much physical difference as we’ll run the same distance, but it’s the thinking that changes behind doing all the running.
“We need to be so much more switched on playing against a top team such as Monaco because if we gift them only one chance then they’re likely to score.”
Kick-off at Ibrox this Saturday is 4pm, with tickets priced at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions and available to purchase here.
MyGers members can also enjoy a £2 discount on match tickets.