Rangers teenager Charlie Lindsay is willing to mix ambition with patience as he plots a slow but steady journey towards first team recognition at Ibrox.
Lindsay, who joined the Light Blues from Glentoran in the summer of 2020, has starred for the Scottish club’s U18s and reserves over the course of the past two years.
And while the 18-year-old insists he’s still on a learning curve in Glasgow, the Northern Ireland teenager freely admits his ultimate aim is to play senior football with the Old Firm giants.
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“I’ve enjoyed it (at Rangers),” Lindsay told David Kerr on Glentoran's official YouTube channel. “I’ve played for the 18s, I’ve played for the reserve team and I’ve loved every bit of it.
“It’s all about me pushing on now and striving to get towards the first team and hopefully it’s not too far away.
"I want to keep playing as much as I can in the B team and if I get a chance, try and push forward, get towards the first team and if I get a chance to train, impress the manager.
"But obviously that all takes time and I don’t want to be too forceful with it all. I just want to come in everyday and learn and keep getting better as a player. I feel I’m really maturing as a footballer and as a person and that’s what I wanted.”
Lindsay was speaking ahead of Sunday’s pre-season friendly between Glentoran and the Rangers B team at the BetMcLean Oval (kick-off 1pm).
“It’ll be nice to be back and see some old friends and familiar faces,” said the Northern Ireland underage international. “Whenever I found out we were coming to play the Glens, I was buzzing.
“I loved playing for the Glens. I joined when I was seven, went through the age groups and left when I was 16. They were great for my development.
“They pushed me through the ranks at a young age. I was playing in the reserves and also got my first team debut as well. I enjoyed every bit of it.”
Lindsay, from the Cregagh Road in Belfast, made history when he was handed his first ever senior appearance with the Glens at the age of 15 years, five months and 24 days in 2019.
When Mick McDermott introduced him as a second half substitute in a County Antrim Shield win over Ballyclare Comrades, he became the East Belfast club’s youngest ever player.
“It’s a moment I’ll hold forever, no matter what happens in my career,” said Lindsay. “When I found out I was on the bench, I was buzzing and it was a nice experience to come on because my family was there as well.
“Obviously I had played there since the age of seven so to finally get the reward of playing for the first team was a great experience.”
Tickets for Sunday's pre-season friendly between Glentoran and Rangers B are on general sale and can be purchased HERE.
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