Wes Foderingham is determined to push all the way for the Rangers goalkeeper’s jersey after being given encouragement from manager Steven Gerrard.
Foderingham’s Rangers career looked over in the summer when Allan McGregor returned to Ibrox and Jak Alnwick started the season on the bench.
But Foderingham was drafted in for the Betfred Cup tie at Kilmarnock last month and Alnwick subsequently departed on loan to Scunthorpe.
And the former England Under-19 international will start his second match of the season in the quarter-final against Ayr at Ibrox on Wednesday.
McGregor’s form has meant there is little hope of Foderingham displacing the Scotland international for league and European matches but he is determined to seize any opportunity he gets and be ready should he need to step in.
When asked about his situation, Foderingham said: “It’s a bit difficult obviously.
“I still see myself as a number one who is not in the side at the moment but my job is to train the best that I can and when the opportunity comes to go out on the pitch and play, to give a good account of myself.
“I’m not used to it. It’s the first time in my career that I have had a period on the bench, so it’s difficult.
“But different demands have been placed on me this season and it’s up to me to face those challenges on and off the pitch. And, like I say, when I get the opportunity to play, to give a good account of myself.”
Foderingham was expected to move back to England in the summer but the former Swindon player was not keen to leave after two years as Rangers number one.
“Obviously three doesn’t go into two so there is going to be speculation there,” the 27-year-old said.
“My stance was always that I wanted to stay here and compete. I’ve got the opportunity to do that now and in the games I do play I need to do myself justice.”
And Foderingham has been happy with the way manager Steven Gerrard and assistant Gary McAllister have gone about their business.
“They have been very encouraging,” he said. “Obviously ‘Greegsy’ has come in and done really well so I can’t have any complaints about being out of the side at the minute.
“But they have just told me to be ready because anything can happen in football and, if I do get the opportunity to go back in, make sure I keep the shirt.”
