WHAT he hoped would be a step in the right direction turned out to be one back for Kyle Bradley. Now, he is determined to stride forward at Rangers.

It is 12 months since the defender made the loan switch to Clyde and set his sights on a run of first team action that would give him the foundation upon which to build at Ibrox. That ambition has been achieved, but not in the manner Bradley anticipated.

Three appearances in the League Cup against Kilmarnock, Dumbarton and Ayr were followed by a start against Stenhousemuir in League Two. That was that for the Bully Wee, however.

Read more: Kyle Bradley believes Rangers kids can make the grade under Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard​

At that stage, Bradley could only dream about making his Ibrox debut and being in the squad for a Europa League qualifier but that is the reality for the 19-year-old after an encouraging start to the campaign under Steven Gerrard’s guidance. His outlook, and his fortunes, have changed.

“I had a setback at the start of last year when I was on loan at Clyde and I wasn’t playing regularly,” Bradley told SportTimes.

“It wasn’t really a successful loan for me. When I came back, I knew myself that I really needed to kick-on and I felt I did that in the last few months of the season and I was playing more consistently.

“I ended the season well in the Hong Kong Sevens so I came in this season full of confidence and now I want to show what I am capable of and push into the first team. I have been given an opportunity and I need to make the most of it.

“I think it was a mindset thing for me and I spoke to Donald MacNaughton, who comes in and speaks to us and helps us, when I was going through a down period.

“I felt it was about mindset because I knew I was good enough and I had to get through that spell. He helped me a lot through that time and now I have pushed on and I am really relishing it and enjoying it.”

Read more: Chris Jack: Steven Gerrard's final deals will determine Rangers' ambitions this term

It was his outings for the Development Squad in the second half of the season that gave Bradley the platform to showcase his talents and the opening weeks of the new campaign have been positive for the centre-half.

He was handed his debut in the win over Bury and then took a seat on the sidelines behind Gerrard in Skopje on Tuesday night as Rangers overcame FK Shkupi.

The transition from Academy prospect to first team stalwart is always going to be a difficult one to make at Rangers given the demands, standards and expectations across the club.

But Bradley feels he is now better equipped for the challenges that lie ahead as he looks to make a name for himself in the coming weeks and months.

“People think that because you are a player for Rangers that you are living the dream,” he said.

“Of course, they are right in some respects and I love it at this club. But there are tough times for every player and you need to get through them because it is not easy to make it into the first team at a club like this.

“When you don’t make that step at first, you can start to doubt yourself. Donald has helped a lot of us at different times, as have the staff and the coaches like Billy Kirkwood, Peter Lovenkrands, Craig Mulholland.

“They have helped me push on through that tough spell and I have come out the other side of it so I am really appreciative of their help.

“I just want to keep impressing in training and in the games and hopefully I will gain the gaffer’s trust and he will feel that he can put me in again. That is the goal for the season.”

Read more: Steven Gerrard pleased with the foundations of his new Rangers defensive unit​

The arrival of Gerrard as manager has been the catalyst for a new outlook at Rangers this summer as the 38-year-old embarks on his first campaign in the dugout.

He has overhauled the first team squad in recent weeks as moves have been made in the transfer market. He has kept an eye on his youth ranks as well, though.

“It has been a really good experience for me being able to make the step up from the 20s to the first team and being able to learn from the gaffer,” Bradley said. “That is only going to make me improve as a player so I have really enjoyed it.

“I was only in one day with the 20s before I got asked to go round to the first team. It came as a bit of a surprise but I feel as though I am good enough to be there. It is great the gaffer thinks I can go there and train with them regularly.

“I think early on the gaffer needed some extra bodies round and then a few of us done quite well and got asked to stay there. I must have made a good impression.”

The chance to work alongside Gerrard is one that has inspired everyone within his Light Blues squad this term as levels have been raised on and off the park.

Defender Connor Goldson is the biggest outlay of the summer so far following his £3million move from Brighton last month.

He has become a commanding presence at the heart of the Gers defence, but also an inspiration to those that want to follow his example.

Bradley said: “It has been great working with the other centre-halves, and especially someone like Connor, who is a Premier League standard defender.

Read more: Chris Jack: Steven Gerrard's final deals will determine Rangers' ambitions this term

“I watch him closely and see what he does in training and how he prepares for games. He is someone that I can look up to and take tips from.

“He is a really good voice in the dressing room and you can see his leadership skills. You always hear him and he is always positive so he can be a really good role model for someone like myself.”

* Kyle Bradley is pictured promoting the Rangers Youth Development Company.

Since 2002 RYDC profits have been directed to Rangers Football Club’s youth programme - with more than £7.5 million provided in the last 16 years.

For full details on their portfolio of products – Rangers Lotto, Rising Stars, Scratchcards, Stadium Bricks and the Youth Members Club - visitwww.rydc.co.uk or call 0141 427 4914