A TEENAGE footballer from Gourock is living the dream after breaking into the first team at Rangers.

Robbie Crawford, 19, has been thrust into the spotlight in recent weeks, making a string of appearances in his first season in the top team at Ibrox - and he is revelling in the experience.

The talented midfielder, who still lives locally, made his debut earlier this year in a friendly against Linfield in Northern Ireland.

He has since pulled on the light blue jersey in cup clashes with Brechin and Falkirk, and at the weekend he was on league duty against Berwick, as Rangers adjust to life in the Third Division with a new-look squad.

Robbie's rise to the first-team comes after 11 years with the Glasgow club, having been with them since the age of eight.

We featured Robbie - a former Gourock YAC and First Touch football coaching graduate - in the Tele back in 2010 when he signed his first contract.

Two years on, in an exclusive interview, Robbie said: "The first time I trained with the first team was when I was 17 so I have been training on and off with them for a couple of years.

"I've been trying to impress since then and getting into the squad this year has happened pretty quickly but you have to take your chance.

"A lot of players left in the summer so the club is looking to youth - and me, Barrie McKay and Lewis MacLeod have all stepped up and done pretty well I think."

Now the midfielder is going from strength to strength thanks to working with top experienced players including Scotland caps Ian Black, Lee McCulloch and Kevin Kyle.

Robbie, a former pupil of Greenock Academy, said: "I'm definitely learning a lot day-in, day-out from the likes of Lee McCulloch and Kevin Kyle.

"They are older and have played for a lot of teams so they have a lot to teach you.

"It's good to get a mix of youth and experience in the squad."

Despite Rangers' disappointing draw with the 'Wee Gers' on Sunday, Robbie has been blown away by the support he and his team-mates have received.

He said: "The crowd have been amazing cheering and singing throughout games and we were disappointed on Sunday with the draw but they will follow the team anyway.

"It was a disappointing result but I'm sure we'll bounce back stronger."