Lewis Macleod hopes award is first of many for team

He said: “I was not expecting to win an award but I am delighted I have. To be the first Rangers player voted to win one is pretty special and it would be great if I could go on and win a couple more. It has been a season of surprises for me as I have played in every game, and played at a lot of locations and against teams I did not think I would be playing against. It has been a great learning curve for me and for all the young boys.”

Macleod added: “I think we have adapted to everything well and are really looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Macleod knows he faces competition for future young player of the month trophies from within his own dressing-room.

He added: “Barrie McKay has been great in our last couple of games and I am sure that, if he carries on like that he will be looking to win a monthly award. In fact, quite a few of the boys will want to win one.

“At the start of the season I was looking to play a few first team games and make an impact when I did.

“It is a good time to be a young player at Rangers and be about the first team. If we were still in the SPL it would have been harder to play in so many games. The Third Division has been hard and physical, certainly a lot more physical than the under-19 league but I cannot compare it to the SPL as I was only ever a sub in a game once against Motherwell last season.”

The Wishaw-born player also reckons that his development has been enhanced by playing in front of big crowds.

He said: “While it is great to  be playing every week, it is incredible to play at home with the crowds that we have  been getting. They have been  unbelievable.”