LEWIS MAYO didn’t need a warning into how significant the step-up would be from the Rangers Under-20s side to Steven Gerrard’s first team.
But, on a daily basis, he is given a timely reminder of where he is and where he must get to as he goes head-to-head with in-form Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe.
The challenge of facing the respective strikers is very different, but both provide a huge learning curve for Mayo as he looks to impress Gerrard.
The stopper has already done enough to earn a promotion from the youth ranks in recent weeks but that is only one small step that must be taken on Mayo’s Light Blue journey.
READ MORE: Graeme Murty appreciates Steven Gerrard’s support as Rangers kids look to make the Ibrox grade
“I have been round before and I did pre-season with them so I knew all the players and the staff,” Mayo said. “It was quite a funny feeling coming in that side of the training ground rather than this side.
“If anything, there is more pressure on me training now because people see me as being a more senior player now that I have got added responsibility. The quality needs to be even higher every day to set the example.
“Connor Goldson has been brilliant with me, he has always had an eye out for me when I play alongside him and he works with me.
“Jermain Defoe has been excellent as well because I play against him. He will tell me what I am doing well.
“It is hard [playing against Defoe] and the thing is, it is either him or Alfredo Morelos, so you are not really getting a break. It is one or the other.
“They are both top quality strikers that are at the top of their game. As a learning experience, you are not going to get much better than that going and playing against them.”
It is only a short walk through the corridors of the Hummel Training Centre between the youth wing and the first team area but the significance of the move cannot be underestimated for any up and coming player.
Mayo has long been marked out as one with a chance of making it at Ibrox and it says much about his quality and potential that Gerrard is keen to have him involved with his squad this term.
The 19-year-old marked his debut against Oxford with a goal during the pre-season win at Ibrox. Now he is determined to make the most of every opportunity he gets.
READ MORE: Rangers' Alfredo Morelos scores dramatic winner for Colombia
He said: “Playing at Rangers, there is an added pressure because you are not only going into a high pressure, high quality environment, you need to win as well.
“That comes down to training and the standards in training are exceptionally high. That is the way it needs to be and it prepares all the young players for going into that team.
“It was a massive milestone for me. I have been here since I was seven and that is what I have been working towards all those years. For me, that was personally a massive achievement to move round.
“But there is an added responsibility because you are in there and you need to be ready to step in when asked.
“Of course I have still got to be performing in the games here while I am training with the first team.
“It was the gaffer that said to me [to move round to the first team]. You have got to take confidence from that that a player like him, a man like him and a manager like him is backing you. You have to take that as a really positive sign.”
Mayo will run out at Ibrox once again this afternoon and there will be a competitive edge to the action this time around.
Wrexham are the visitors as the Colts bid for a Challenge Cup semi-final spot.
Mayo said: “When you look at our team, we have got some really exciting players and a lot of quality in our team.
READ MORE: Graeme Murty will back Colt team push after Rangers' run in Challenge Cup
“We are not first team, we don’t have the experience of the senior players, but given the journey we have had already and some of the teams we have put ourselves up against, we are showing how much quality we have. Hopefully we can go all the way.
“Even in the past years when we weren’t successful and we were getting beat and put out in the early rounds, it was still a good experience because we still learned from it. I think it shows that the players in this squad have matured because we are able to go and compete and get results.”
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The Rangers Colts are in Challenge Cup quarter final action at Ibrox against Wrexham this weekend – tickets are on sale now at rangers.co.uk and the Rangers Ticket Centre priced £10 for adults and £5 for kids.
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