WILSON AIMS TO MAKE IT BIG AT RANGERS LIKE BATES

RANGERS defender Aidan Wilson believes Graeme Murty can help him follow in David Bates’ footsteps into the first team at Ibrox. Wilson’s progress has been closely monitored by the Rangers interim boss since he was sent on loan to Dumbarton, and Murty will have been especially delighted to see him skipper Scotland Under-19s to a brilliant 2-0 victory over Holland in Germany on Saturday. The 19-year-old was cup-tied for Sons’ Irn-Bru Cup final defeat to Inverness Caley Thistle the following day but hopes his parent club are already seeing enough of him in Championship action to give him a chance alongside fellow youngster Bates in central defence when he returns to Govan. ‘To be playing for Dumbarton in a first-team environment is great for me and a brilliant learning experience,’ said Wilson, who last year signed a new deal with Rangers until 2020. ‘We’re in a relegation battle just now but I’m enjoying it. ‘Graeme Murty told me to go on loan and get some games under my belt and we’ll see where I am in six months’ time. ‘Hopefully, this experience will help me get in the Rangers first team. ‘Graeme’s done a great deal of work with me over the past two years. He’s improved me a lot as a player and, hopefully, he has faith in me. When you look at David Bates, who’s done really well and is a first-team regular, I hope I can follow his pathway.’ Today is crunch-time for Wilson and his fellow Scots when they face Norway in Lippstadt in their final Euro Elite Round qualifier. After two games in the group, Scotland, the Norwegians, Holland and hosts Germany all sit on three points after a win and a defeat each. Victory today is vital, then, with only the group winner qualifying for the Euro finals in Finland in July. But Donald Park’s side will not have it easy against a side who thrashed Germany 5-2 in their own backyard. After Celtic star Jack Aitchison’s double against Holland in Arnsberg, Wilson insists Scotland fear no one. ‘You can’t ask for much more than beating Holland 2-0 and it was deserved because all the lads put in a great shift,’ said Wilson. ‘We need to beat Norway and see what happens with the other game, but it won’t matter unless we win. ‘That 5-2 win over Germany shows what Norway are all about. We’ll study them and see what their strengths and weaknesses are. I believe we have the players who can get us to the finals.’