Ian Durrant says best is yet to come from Findlay Curtis after Champions League heroics

Rangers legend Ian Durrant believes the world is Findlay Curtis’ oyster after his midweek Champions League heroics, but insists it will be a rocky road ahead to reach the top.

The teenager scored the opener as the Ibrox side secured a 2-0 first-leg victory over Panathinaikos on Tuesday night.

Durrant is excited about what the future holds for the up-and-coming starlet who he says is “living the dream”, but has warned him that there will be ups and downs along the way.

The 58-year-old is speaking from experience, as he was the same as Curtis is now when he made his debut back in 1985.

He would go on to win six league titles, three Scottish Cups, and four League Cups, writing his name into Rangers folklore as part of their nine-in-a-row winning side under Walter Smith.

And he is hoping the new kid on the block can follow a similar path.

He said: “You see, young boys like Findlay, who is the flavour of the month just now, and he came through the youth setup.

“On Tuesday, the game was stalling a wee bit, and Findlay took it by the scruff of the neck. He is living the dream just now, and long may it continue.

“He has a long way ahead, and there will be a lot of hard games coming up, but he showed the other night what he can produce with a moment of magic to put Rangers 1-0 up, and they just kicked on from there.

“It’s early days for him yet, he obviously has the ideal opportunity working with a new vibrant young manager who believes in him and has given him the platform to go and perform.

“Now Findlay will know, and the manager and coaches will know, that there is a lot of hard work ahead, he is a young boy, but when you are at Ibrox, or any big team now, you have to learn quickly.

“There will be ups and downs, that’s the nature of the beast, that’s football, but just now he is living the dream and enjoying it.

“Only time will tell what he will achieve. It’s always a rocky road in football. Sometimes, the manager might take him out when he feels he should be playing, but the manager will work with him every day, along with the coaches, and they will see his development.

“Just now, he is ticking every box; he’s scored in the Champions League qualifiers, so he is living the dream. And to see one of your own coming through is always a boost for the club and the supporters.

“He’ll be as high as a kite just now, and it will de down to him and the manager to make sure he is ready for the upcoming tests.”

Durrant was speaking on Thursday as he promoted the Rangers Youth Development Company’s (RYDC’s) Big Blue Jackpot, a new Rangers Lotto prize for supporters who can win guaranteed end-of-month jackpots of at least £12,000 and £15,000 from August.

He hailed the impact the organisation has made and the importance of bringing young players through the ranks.

He said: “The RYDC have donated over £12m to the club, which is a fantastic donation in anybody’s eyes, and long may it continue.

“Every club wants to see their own coming through, and they are giving them the ideal opportunity with the money they donate.”