Rangers talent Jamie Barjonas is desperate to force his way back into the first team squad and says manager Pedro Caixinha has told him if injuries strike then he will turn to him.
The 18-year-old was trusted by Caixinha last term, making four senior Rangers appearances and even being handed a start in the final game of the season against St Johnstone.
He is keen to build on his progress, but so far this term has been on the outside looking in when Caixinha names his matchday squads.
That is something the midfielder hopes to change and he is looking to catch the eye in training, while also admitting he feels encouragement to still be around the first team picture given the midfielders Caixinha recruited in the summer.
"I have been round training with the first-team quite a lot but I haven’t been in a squad yet this season so my main aim is to try and get round training as much as possible and hopefully make a squad quite soon", Barjonas told his club's official site.
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"The manager hasn’t spoken to me about that recently but he said at the start of the season that if there was a chance to get in due to injuries then he can trust me and can call on me – hopefully that is what happens and I can get into a squad.
"Even after he brought in new midfielders over the summer it obviously shows I am doing well in the development games to still be training round there."
Barjonas will be in action for Rangers Under-20s this evening against Premier League side Leicester City at Ibrox and the teenager will want to use the occasion to further press his first team claims.
So far this term the Under-20s have locked horns with Feyenoord, Brighton and Manchester City.
