DANNY Wilson has insisted that he never gave up hope of forcing his way back into the Rangers first team this season despite not starting a single game under former manager Pedro Caixinha.
Wilson has been picked to play at centre half by Graeme Murty, who has once again taken charge of the Ibrox club on a temporary basis following the sacking of Caixinha last month, in the last two games.
The 25-year-old, who had only made three brief substitute appearances all season prior to being recalled by Murty, has helped Rangers to record emphatic wins over Hearts away and Partick Thistle at home.
Read more: Big Interview: Ryan Jack on Rangers, red cards, Pedro Caixinha and returning to Aberdeen
However, the defender insisted that he held no grudge against Caixinha, who preferred to play his signings Bruno Alves and Fabio Cardoso, and was always confident he would get back involved at some stage in the 2017/18 campaign if he worked hard in training.
"It was a bit frustrating for me up until two weeks ago because I wasn't featuring,” he said. “I am just glad to be back involved.
"No reason was given. I picked up a calf strain before the Celtic game and I didn't really feature after that. It's just one of those things in football and you just need to get on with it.”
Asked if he had challenged the former manager on his lack of involvement, Wilson said: "I've done that previously and it doesn't really get you anywhere. The best thing you can do is just try to work hard and hopefully you will get your chance again.
“Obviously, there was a change of manager and I came back in, probably though injuries and suspension. So once you get in, you need to try and show what you can do, so hopefully I have done enough to stay in the team.
"I've been in football long enough now and I know how it works. You can go through wee stages where you play every week and sometimes you are not quoted at all.
“It is frustrating, but you just need to try and get on as best you can with and work hard in the training ground. That's all you can really do.
“Whether the decision is a given or not, you just need to do anything you can so the finger can't be pointed at out, so that someone else is just not fancying you. I've done that and played the last two games."
Wilson has played alongside Ross McCrorie, the promising 19-year-old centre half from Ayrshire, in the last two games and is hopeful they will get the opportunity to develop their partnership further going forward.
The five-times capped Scotland internationalist, who broke into the Rangers first team aged just 17 back in 2009, believes his young team mate is capable of representing his country at senior level in future if he continues to develop.
Read more: Big Interview: Ryan Jack on Rangers, red cards, Pedro Caixinha and returning to Aberdeen
“I think we do complement each other well,” he said. “When the last manager worked on shape Ross and I were in the same team together with Fabio and Bruno in the other.
“We have worked a lot on the training ground and that has maybe shown in the games when we have struck up a decent partnership. I like Ross too. He’s a good young player and it’s nice to play alongside him helping him as much as he’s helped me.
“I think he can play international level in one or two years’ time. He definitely has a chance. If Ross keeps playing the way he is and stays here then he has a chance.
“Mentally, he’s very switched on. I don’t know what else is out there at his age group although I do see he doesn’t play every time for the Under 21s as he’s still young in that age group. But if he plays at that level he has a better chance than not.”
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