A YOUNG football star is off to a winning start after signing for Rangers - and scoring on her debut.

Ten-year-old King's Oak pupil Ruby Whyte first showed her flair for the game while kicking a ball around as a tiny tot in soft play.

Now she is running up the wing to beat the boys in the playground and taking them on in the league.

Rangers snapped her up for their new 2008 girls team to play in a league mainly made up of boys' clubs.

Mum Gillian, 39, of Auchendarroch Street, said: "She played her first game in the league at the weekend and she scored twice.

"The girls will be up against boys every week.

"I am her biggest fan and I am so proud of her - although she doesn't like it when I cheer so loudly from the side!

"A wee boy put in a sliding tackle on her, and I thought 'you have marked your cards'.

"Sure enough Ruby made sure she put a tackle in.

"She is tiny but she is good."

Rangers 2008s started their first season playing in the Paisley and Johnstone Leagues by taking on Morton Community Kilmacolm.

Ruby's debut was a success with a 6-1 victory.

The primary six pupil has been playing since six after her granny spotted her potential in Funworld.

Gillian, a finance officer with CVS Inverclyde, added: "My granny Alice Hearl used to take her to soft play with my aunty and they told me she was always playing football."

After starting to play with Morton aged six, Ruby has continued to impress.

When Rangers came calling she jumped at the chance to sign for one of the biggest clubs in the country.

Ruby, who plays as a winger, said: "I just love playing football. I play all the time, at school, in the playground, anywhere really."

Now mum Gillian will be taking her round the country for games, with more than a little help from family.

Gilian, who also has an older daughter Cameron, 15, added: "I would like to thank my mum and dad for their help as well.

"We couldn't do it without them.

"It is a big commitment training in Govan twice a week and then the games on a Saturday.

"But I don't mind because she loves it so much.

"We really got a great feeling about Rangers when we went there and they made such a fuss when she signed.

"The girls game is huge now."