RANGERS defender Scott Wilson admitted yesterday that he may have to leave the league leaders if, as expected, they re-sign Australian internationalist Craig Moore from Crystal Palace in the summer.
Wilson, on international duty with the Scotland Under-21 squad, said he has not been given enough opportunities, by manager Dick Advocaat, in the starting XI to establish himself and realises the return of Moore will push him even further down the pecking order.
The 22-year-old has started seven matches this season and, although he was sent off against Aberdeen and Celtic, the Dutch coach has high expectations for him in the future.
Wilson, though, is not content to hang around forever to get his chance, with Scotland international defender Colin Hendry and captain Lorenzo Amoruso the first-choice central defensive pairing for the foreseeable future.
''I'm hoping to get a few games towards the end of the season and try to help Rangers win the league title. Hopefully then I can get myself into Dick's plans for the start of next season,'' he said.
''If I cannot get into his plans then I think I will have to look elsewhere because I'm getting to the age now when I need to be playing regularly - it's no good playing here and there.
''I feel as if I haven't been given a run in the team. I've been in and out, and being sent off a couple of times has held me back a bit.
''If I get the chance to prove myself then it's up to the manager, but if Craig comes back, there will be four centre halves next season - just the way Dick wants it - but I've got to play.''
Wilson had the opportunity to move on loan to an English first division club as well as a side in the Dutch league earlier on this season, but such moves are ruled out for the time being because he has been told to stay put by Advocaat as cover for Hendry, who is out of action with an ankle injury.
Wilson now faces a decision which could make or break his footballing career.
His appetite for the big time has been whetted by taking part in European matches against Ajax, Auxerre, and Bayer Leverkusen in the last few years, but after watching Charlie Miller, like himself a lifelong Rangers supporter, join Leicester City on loan - with a view to a permanent move - to experience first-team football once again, Wilson knows he may soon have to take a similar decision.
Meanwhile, the cancellation of the Under-21 match with Bosnia-Herzegovina has also made Wilson's week of international duty nothing more than a training exercise.
He is serving a one-match ban at international level and was therefore in line for a return in Tuesday's match against the Czech Republic. Now, however, the suspension has carried on to that game, one which is vital to the young lions' hopes of qualification.
''We play Germany at the end of April in a friendly so that will be my next match,'' he said. ''It is still good to be part of the squad and I'll just have to get on with it. This is my last year as an under-21 so I only have a few games left to play anyway.
''Alex (Smith) will probably want me to stay around next week and help the team morale but I think Dick will want me back at Ibrox.''
q Dumbarton last night came to an agreement with former manager Ian Wallace, who had been suspended from his duties and will not now return to the club. Chairman Douglas Dalgleish said that there had been mutual agreement to terminate the contract.
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