Northern Ireland teenager Lewis MacKinnon is ready to make up for lost time after returning from long-term injury.
The 19-year-old defender is back firing on all cylinders after recovering from an ankle problem which required surgery to get a bone removed.
MacKinnon was out for five months after suffering the blow back in January, but he insists the set-back has only made him stronger as he looks to the season ahead.
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"It feels great (being back). I missed the second half of last season so to get back playing again is what every player wants," MacKinnon said ahead of Rangers Under 19s' UEFA Youth League clash with Napoli on Wednesday (2pm kick-off).
"Now I am playing a lot more is ultimately good for me. So I have been enjoying it, especially the challenges we have been coming up against this season."
He added: "Injuries are part and parcel of the game, and these things will happen.
"But I feel the downs you have, the more you will grow as a player. You have to take it in your stride and I am just happy to be playing.
"I feel that when you get injuries, the lows will make you stronger, on and off the pitch.
"You will pick up injuries, it is just about taking it in your stride and going with it."
MacKinnon was on target in last week's UEFA Youth League opener against Ajax but couldn't prevent the young Gers from suffering a 2-1 defeat.
The teenage defender believes the experience will stand his side in good stead, as will getting the opportunity to watch Giovanni van Bronckhorst's senior side in Champions League action.
"We got to watch the Champions League game after our own match last week, and it was brilliant to see. Getting the opportunity to play earlier in the day and then being able to go to the first game at night, you love it. Especially as a fan, you love being at those games," he said.
"And that's where the club wants to be, playing Champions League football.
"I feel having our first game against Ajax, it has given us a sniff. And everyone wants to play more and more games."
MacKinnon's long-term aim is to one day feature in Rangers' first-team, and he believes there is a pathway for young players to one day feature in the senior squad.
"100 per cent. If you look at the boys who got a start there against Queen of the South (in the League Cup). I think there were five or six, and two of the Under 18 players got a debut," he said.
"So it just shows you the pathway is there. You just have to keep striving every day."
He added: "Playing in the UEFA Youth League has definitely helped us grow as players. For example, in the Lowland League it is more of a physical test. When you play these top European teams you come up against a different challenge.
"It is more technical, and playing against these teams you will improve as a player. So everyone as individuals is enjoying it, getting better.
"We feel unlucky not to take anything from the Ajax game. In the first half we were a bit passive and not getting close enough to people. We were letting them play almost.
"In the second half we closed them down a lot more and started pressing in the right areas. And I think we wee unlucky not to come away with a point, at least."
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