Toral catches up with life in Premiership fast lane

which was also quick and up and down the pitch. It’s entertaining but the pace of the game is different. In Spain, players like to keep the ball a bit more and be more patient.

‘But I’ve played a little bit deeper than I’m used to, which is good for me. So far, so good.’

Toral admits he knows little of the enmity between Rangers and Aberdeen but he can reference one fiery derby experience as he prepares to visit Pittodrie.

‘When I was on loan at Birmingham, I was lucky enough to get on the pitch in the FA Cup game we played against Aston Villa,’ he said. ‘That was a big experience and a big rivalry. Players like those atmospheres. It’s a time to show what you are about.

‘The Aberdeen game is massive. If we win — and I think we will — then we close the gap.’ JON TORAL has encountered a few speed bumps since moving to Rangers but now declares himself ‘up to the pace’ of Scottish football.

The 22-year-old midfielder moved to Ibrox on loan from Arsenal in January after spending the first portion of the season operating for Grenada and admits the transition from La Liga to the Scottish Premiership has required some adjustment.

The Spaniard (right) has also had to contend with a change in manager. The deal that brought him to Rangers was conceived by Mark Warburton, Toral’s boss at Brentford where he enjoyed a previous loan spell.

Less than a month later, Warburton had left Ibrox and Toral found himself having to impress first caretaker Graeme Murty then the permanent appointee Pedro Caixinha.

‘This has been a learning period for me,’ he admitted. ‘Coming from Spain in the first half of the season it has been a big change but I’ve had time to adapt now and I feel I’m up to the pace of the game. ‘I knew the manager (Warburton), so when things changed I had to adjust. Now, though, I must prove to Pedro that I am ready to fight for my place in the team. ‘I have experienced the Championship in England