Kevin Kyle has vowed to fight his way into the Rangers first team and make the coveted No.9 shirt his own this season.
Striker feared his career was over because of a hip injury
Kevin Kyle has vowed to fight his way into the Rangers first team and make the coveted No.9 shirt his own this season.
The shirt has always held a special place in the hearts of fans and was worn with distinction by many players - none more so than current boss Ally McCoist.
As a player McCoist went on to become the most prolific goalscorer in the club's history by netting 355 times in the famous jersey.
And Kyle, who signed a one-year-deal with the Division Three side earlier this month, is determined to show the manager he is good enough to follow in his footsteps after spending the last 18 months out of the game with a hip injury.
"My time will come and when it comes, I'll try and grasp it with both hands and take it," said the 31-year-old. "And I'll be the one that's starting in the team.
"Ultimately, that's what I want to be doing. Regardless of whether I've been injured for 18-19 months, I still want to be playing football and I don't really care whether it's at Rangers, or somewhere else.
"Rangers is just a great opportunity and I want to be the one wearing the No.9 jersey on a Saturday."
Kyle has yet to start for Rangers this season as he is being eased back into football after his career threatening injury.
But the giant striker is in no rush to get on the pitch as he knows any further injuries could land him on the football scrapheap.
"The biggest thing for me was just working again, and providing for my family, because when you are not getting a wage, it's very hard," he added.
"Being a footballer since I was 17, I'm not blessed with qualifications or anything else, so I couldn't just leave football and go do something else.
"I have tried my hand at the coaching side of things and jobs are very few and far between.
"Now, to be in a contract situation - I know it's only a year - it's something I can look forward and try to earn another year."
