A YOUNG Clacks footballer is aiming for a shot at the Rangers first team, after signing up with her childhood club last year.

Rebecca Simpson has been kicking a ball since she was two years old and signed with Stirlingshire team Milton after honing her skills in Tullibody.

Joining the team at eight, she began playing with the U9 age group and by the time she was nine she was playing with the under 13s.

It was at this point her parents John and Donna were approached by Rangers and she was invited to the Glasgow side's academy at the Hummel Training Centre.

She was told she would get a trial for the U11s; however, one Sunday night John received a phone-call and asked if she'd like to join the team without a trial.

Rebecca, who attends Menstrie Primary School, travelled to Ibrox with her parents in February. She then signed for the team in the press room and now travels through to the Hummel for training twice a week.

John said: "She's always been football daft.

"She's a Rangers fan and season ticket holder and she's been a ball girl for the women's team."

While her skills were developed and honed at Milton, John is thrilled with the progress she's made since making the step-up to Rangers.

"She's a much stronger player, training is very good," her dad said.

"No disrespect to Milton, and I've got the utmost respect for them giving her the chance to get involved and allowing her to play, but the training and intensity is far higher, I've seen a huge improvement in her performance.

"Her skills have come on leaps and bounds and, playing with Rangers, she has a pile of confidence now."

The path to the Rangers first team will not be straightforward and will require commitment.

However, that won't be a problem for her parents, especially Donna who takes Rebecca to Glasgow twice a week for training while her dad works down south.

John said: "It's the commitment you have to make. If they told me to be in Inverness for 11 o'clock in the morning I'd be there.

"At the end of the day, I'm just telling her to enjoy what she's doing."