WASPS youngster Ryan Hoggan was on cloud nine after making his first team debut at the home of his boyhood heroes during the 4-0 loss at Rangers last weekend.

The versatile teenager, who can play in midfield or defence, endured a sleepless night on Friday before he was brought on to replace Burton O'Brien for the final ten minutes of the match, but he was quick to thank both Youth supremo Graeme Liveston and manager Danny Lennon for helping make his dream become reality.

Hoggan told Advertiser Sport: “It was amazing to come on at Ibrox for my league debut in front of 45,00 people and it was a really special day for my family. I was struggling to sleep on Friday night thinking of the possibility of this happening. Rangers were my team growing up and my whole family support them so it is just unreal to get on. My phone was full of texts and missed calls when I got back to the dressing room, it is just a shame about the result. The game itself is a much higher standard than the U20s, but I still really enjoyed it and felt that I did ok. I was just trying to settle down as quick as I could when I went on because I still had the adrenaline pumping, but I had to focus from the get go. It is a really different pace from any game I have played in before.

“I have been at the club for two and a half seasons now and I have absolutely loved every minute at the club. Graeme Liveston has been a key part of my progression. He has given me a lot of chances at a young age to the point where I was already playing reserve games at the age of 15. I cannot thank him enough for that and to work with someone of his experience has been great. He's a good guy to learn from. Working with Danny Lennon has been a dream come true for me. He tells you everything straight if you do something wrong and he has been honest with me from the get go. He constantly works to improve each player and his training is always a very high tempo so it is great to build confidence.”

Hoggan now wants make the most of his opportunity to push on and stake his claim for a regular berth in the first team squad now and hopes his breakthrough can inspire the rest of his team mates in the Under 20s squad.

He said: “I am determined to make the most of this experience now and push on further to challenge for a place in the squad every week now. My next goal is obviously to get my first start and so hopefully if I can keep working hard then that will be achievable this season. The run the team are on at the minute gives me the perfect opportunity to stake my claim because if we are not winning games then the gaffer will always be looking for ways to improve things. All of my team mates in the Under 20s are delighted for me and hopefully now this can give them the incentive to kick on and achieve it themselves as well.”

Meanwhile, the 17-year-old's appearance has given Danny Lennon some real hope for his future at the club and believes they will soon reap the benefits of it on the pitch.

The Wasps' boss added: “It was great to give Ryan Hoggan his league debut at just 17-years-old. For him as a young man to come here and get a wee flavour of the environment, we hope he grows from it and takes all the experience in because he is an exciting prospect.”