Rangers winger Barrie McKay, who signed a new deal with the club last night, believes his loan spells with Greenock Morton and Raith Rovers helped develop him and also helped him get experience as a young player.
The 21-year-old extended his contract with the Gers yesterday and the new deal will keep him at Ibrox until the summer of 2018.
McKay has been a key member of Mark Warburton’s side this season and has made 33 appearances in all competitions, while contributing with six goals and nine assists.
Following his debut as a 17-year-old in Rangers’ last match in the Scottish top flight against St Johnstone in 2011, McKay scored the Ibrox outfit’s first goal in the third tier in the 2-2 draw against Peterhead on 11th August 2012.
The 21-year-old went on to make 41 appearances for the Gers’ that season, but was loaned to Morton and Raith Rovers in the subsequent seasons and the winger believes that the spells helped him develop and get the experience as a youngster.
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The Scotland Under-21s international feels the new deal is testament to his progress in the last year, and McKay wants to continue developing.
McKay also insisted that the change in him from the 17-year-old, who made his debut for the Gers, has been massive.
Speaking in an interview with Rangers TV, McKay said: “It means a lot and it shows everyone how far I’ve come in the past year to earn myself a new deal which I am happy to sign.”
“I am delighted and I just want to keep going really.
“My loan deals have worked for me and they have helped me develop and get that experience as a young player.
“Yes, obviously I made my debut at a very young age at 17 and the change in me from then and now has been massive.”
The Gers travel to Rugby Park for their replay of the Scottish Cup fifth round clash against Kilmarnock tonight.
