Cowdenbeath winger Calum Gallagher is hoping his loan stint at Central Park will propel him into the first team plans at Rangers.
The 20-year-old, who was farmed out to the Blue Brazil until January earlier this month, brought Jimmy Nicholl’s side level with a close range finish against Hearts on Saturday.
Gallagher’s joy soon turned to despair as the visitors conceded four second-half goals in the 5-1 thrashing.
But the youngster, who has made five appearances for Ally McCoist’s side, is loving the experience of regular football with Cowdenbeath following previous temporary moves to Alloa and East Stirling.
And Gallagher plans to give McCoist food for thought when he returns to Ibrox at the turn of the year.
He said: “I had been at Alloa and East Stirling previously. I’m slowly progressing up the leagues the same way Rangers seem to be doing. It’s good to challenge yourself doing these things.
“I’m really enjoying my time at Central Park. It makes it easier when the likes of Marcus Fraser from Celtic and Declan Hughes from St Mirren have come in on loan too.
“We’re all in the same boat, trying to gain some experience, make some waves for ourselves and pose a question to our parent club.
“When you’re here, you’re looking to do the best for Cowdenbeath.
“That’s our main focus but getting the game time that we wouldn’t get at our parent club is a big aspect.
“It is encouraging that there is a wee group of us that can keep ourselves focused.”
The Blue Brazil found themselves behind after 15 minutes at Tynecastle when Billy King gave the home side the lead.
But Gallagher bundled home an equaliser in the 21st minute after Kudus Oyenuga’s shot was only parried by goalkeeper Neil Alexander.
Hearts came flying out of the blocks in the second half and regained the lead through a Jamie Walker header. Osman Sow scored a contentious penalty before substitute Dale Carrick added a late brace.
Hibs needed an injury-time winner to see off Cowdenbeath the previous week and Gallagher insists there are positives they can take from their double trip to the capital.
He added: “In the first half we showed what we could do in spells and pressed high up the park. In the second half we fell away and it was a disappointing day for us.
“We can play. When things go right we do look good and there is ability in the team.
“It’s about getting confidence and belief and getting through a full 90 minutes without cutting our arm off. When we do press and high up the pitch we can cause damage.”
Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson, whose side face Celtic in the League Cup on Wednesday, said: “We spoke to them at half-time about the things we’re trying to do and they did it in the second half, and we got the goals.
“I felt we were a wee bit lackadaisical and slow in moving the ball around. They played five at the back and it’s difficult to break down the five.”