HAVING found first team game time hard to come by at Rangers this season due to the form of Connor Goldson, Filip Helander and most recently Nikola Katic, there is no prospect of George Edmundson not treating the game against Stranraer seriously.

Edmundson, who Steven Gerrard yesterday confirmed will play against the League One part-timers, will use the William Hill Scottish Cup fourth round tie at Ibrox this evening to further his claims for a regular start.

Yet, the centre half also knows just how much the Stair Park club’s players will be fired up for the fixture and how much of a threat they pose having been in exactly the same position as them previously in his career and savoured a massive cup upset.

The 22-year-old played for Oldham last January as the League Two club defeated Premier League rivals Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage in the FA Cup fourth round and won’t take the threat posed by the visitors lightly.

“It will be a tough game,” said Edmundson. “This will be a massive game for them. They will be up for it. It’s not a game we can take easily. But I am looking forward to it.

“Last year I was in the same situation as Stranraer are now when I played for Oldham against Fulham. Before the game you are really pumped up for it. You are probably going to play 10 per cent harder, go in for that challenge you might not normally go for.

“I know what they will be feeling in their dressing room. The feeling I had in that changing room before that game is the exact same feeling they are going to have in their changing room come tomorrow. We have to make sure we are up for it.

“At that time, it was the biggest game of my life. For the lads it was massive and I am sure that is going to be like that for them. You can’t take it lightly. Every game is a big game here. I know exactly what to expect from them. We need to get the win.

“The shoe is obviously on the other foot now. But it will be good. Attitude is a massive part of football. It is something I feel I am quite strong at. I just hope I can take my chance tomorrow. Hopefully it will put me in good stead for the rest of the season.”

Edmundson has seen how well Katic, the Croatian who scored what proved to be the winning goal against Celtic at Parkhead last month, has done for Rangers since Swedish internationalist Helander picked up a foot injury.

The Englishman knows that he could, with Scottish Cup, Ladbrokes Premiership and Europa League games coming thick and fast in the weeks ahead, be called upon to step into Gerrard’s team at any time and intends to be ready.

“One thing I have learned is that football changes really quickly,” he said. “You can be in the team one minute and then out the team the next. You have to be really focused and then ready for when that opportunity comes.”

Gerrard, meanwhile, predicted Edmundson has a bright future at Ibrox. “George has been the ultimate professional,” he said. “I think he will go on and play for Rangers for many years. He has just got to be patient right now because the team is playing well. But I know the talent and I know the kid.”