JAMIE Barjonas has paid tribute to experienced Rangers player Kenny Miller for helping him to make the breakthrough into the first team at Ibrox.

The 18-year-old made his debut when he came off the bench in the second half of the 2-1 win over Partick Thistle at Firhill eight days ago.

He came on for Jason Holt in the Ladbrokes Premiership match against Hearts on Saturday and helped Pedro Caixinha's team to triumph 2-1 again.

The midfielder, who has a year left on his current contract, is hoping to remain part of Caixinha's plans in the 2017/18 campaign.

Read more: Could Pedro Caixinha be the Rangers manager who finally puts his faith in Auchenhowie kids?The Herald: Jamie Barjonas in action for Rangers against Hearts on Saturday.

He has thanked Miller, the 37-year-old forward who has signed a new deal that keeps him at Rangers until next summer, for enabling him to realise his dream.

“Kenny Miller has been a big influence on me," he said “He comes in on his days off, he helps out at training with the under-20s and comes to our games too.

“If you ever need his advice he’ll sit you down and talk for hours if you need. Not every senior player would do that so he has been a great role model for me and a lot of the other under-20 players.

“He’s a great athlete, looks after himself and is such a big influence on us all. He always tells us to enjoy our football, that’s all you can do really.”

"I joined Rangers when I was only eight so I have worked right through the age groups. To play at Ibrox on Saturday was a dream come true."