THE opportunity came out of the blue for Stephen Kelly. It is one he is determined to make the most of as he bids for his big break at Rangers.

The midfielder returned from his summer holiday last month and got back down to business as he prepared for the start for the new campaign. It wasn’t with the squad he was expecting it to be, though.

Kelly produced a series of impressive performances for the Light Blues’ Development Squad last term as he caught the eye during their Games Programme.

His efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Along with a handful of his Under-20s team-mates, those endeavours were rewarded by incoming Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard.

The chance to join-up with the first team at their pre-season training base near Marbella was one Kelly didn’t see coming but he hopes it will be another step in the right direction.

“I was away to Spain for the pre-season trip so it was good to be involved and work with the manager. I enjoyed it,” Kelly told SportTimes.

“I wasn’t really expecting it so soon because there are a lot of midfielders in the squad but I was happy to go and be part of it.

“Being there and working with better players obviously makes you train better and brings you on so it was a great experience for me.

“The fitness levels are noticeable, it was probably the hardest pre-season that everyone in the first team squad has had. We noticed that right away and that shows the standards.

“It was a bit weird at first working with the manager but when you get going you get used to it and he is the boss rather than the player you know. If you get a chance to learn from him and play under him, you have to be excited by that.

“He was one of the best midfielders in the world when he played so if he has got any pointers for myself or the other players then we have to listen to him and take it all in.

“I have not had a one-to-one with him but I have been in the meetings and the squad discussions and it has been great listening to him.”

Gerrard has spent recent weeks overhauling his Ibrox squad as players have moved on and fresh faces have arrived to add strength and depth to the Rangers ranks.

The former Liverpool Under-18s boss has also kept an eye on the next generation at the Hummel Training Centre and several Gers kids were handed their bows in the win over Bury.

A spot on the bench is close as Kelly has come so far but his time with Gerrard has only served to inspire him even more.

He said: “A few of the boys got on against Bury but I didn’t. Hopefully if I just keep working hard and I can show the manager what I can do I will get my chance later in the season.

“The manager and Gary McAllister know what it is like to come through and go on to play at the highest level so if we can take anything from them that is only going to improve our game and help us.

“I have been here since Under-8s and just worked my way up through the ranks. Being a Rangers fan makes it even more important for me.

“I will keep working hard every day, whether that is with the first team or the 20s, and hopefully I will get my chance.

“I am not sure how it will go. We will sit down and discuss it. A loan can work for a lot of players but it needs to suit each player. We will look at it and see what happens.”

The transition from Academy prospect to Ibrox star is an increasingly difficult one to make and Kelly and his fellow Light Blue hopefuls will have to be patient as they wait for their chance to impress.

The hours spent under Gerrard’s guidance can only improve them but Kelly is grateful for the support of his fellow professionals as well.

He said: “When we were away, Scott Arfield was really helpful and I have formed a good relationship with him on and off the pitch.

“Andy Halliday has been really good for me as well, he is always helping and encouraging and speaking to you off the pitch. They really make you feel involved.

“They obviously don’t want a younger boy coming up to try and take their position but they are brand new and really good to work with.

“There are a lot of midfielders in the squad so it is maybe the hardest position to try and break into. But I can play slightly more attacking as well so hopefully the manager sees I can be a bit different to some of the midfielders and I can get a chance this season.”

While Gerrard’s squad have turned their attentions to the second leg of their Europa League clash with FK Shkupi in recent days, Kelly has spent the weekend at the Plzen Tournament in the Czech Republic.

The 18-year-old has already gained valuable experience against continental opposition and believes the signs are encouraging for the next batch of Ibrox hopefuls.

Kelly said: “Playing against the best teams from Europe, and scoring goals and beating them, really gave us a lot of confidence. Going forward in European football, that experience can only help us and help the club.

“I scored against Man City, Man Utd, Bayern, Leicester and Utrecht. So I scored against a lot of good teams and it was a great experience for me.

“The biggest thing was being able to take the game to these teams. In the game against Bayern, there were long spells where we were on top.

“It is getting that balance of defending and going forward and that helped us with both sides of the game. Hopefully we can improve on that again this season.”

*Stephen Kelly 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. RYDC also donated £250,000 to the Rangers Academy in January.

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