I'm a rising Rangers star training with the first team at last - here's how I'm planning to become the NEXT Allan McGregor

The Light Blues stopper hopes lessons from huge figures at Ibrox can help him kick-on after Scotland Under-21 debut

Lewis Budinauckas was thrown in at the deep end after making his international debut in the crunch Scotland Under-21s clash with Belgium.

And he’s hoping taking advice from fellow Rangers shotstoppers Jack Butland and Allan McGregor can help his career kick on. Budinauckas had never played at any level for Scotland and was only told hours before the Tynecastle showdown he’d in goal, with regular No1 Cieran Slicker injured. The Ibrox keeper could do nothing as two late goals from Saint Etienne striker Lucas Stassin meant the young Scots went down a gut-wrenching defeat to Belgium, when even a draw would have put them in pole position to qualify for the play-offs as runners-up.

Scotland now require to win in Almaty tomorrow and become the first-ever Scottish team to win in Kazakhstan – with Celtic twice, Aberdeen, Scotland and Scotland U-21s all trying and failing to win in the former Soviet state in recent times – and need Hungary to win in Belgium to claim second place.

However, they suffered a pre-match blow with Gers star Connon Barron not travelling to Kazakhstan as a precaution after a slight knock. They’ll also be without Ibrox teammate Leon King as well as Kilmarnock striker Bobby Wales and Rugby Park colleague David Watson, as well as former Manchester City midfielder Lewis Fiorini, who all withdrew.

And 22-year-old Budinauckas – who just signed a new contract at Rangers in the summer – enjoyed his first taste of international football as he said: “I only found out before the game I was playing. With Cieran not in the squad I was hoping to get a chance. It was my first ever game at any level for Scotland. We defended very well for large parts of the game but at this level, it’s small details.

“Belgium are a top team and it was always going to be tough but I felt we did so well, it was just the tiniest of margins that meant we lost. We just need to pick ourselves up, do our part by winning the game and hope for a favour from Hungary.”

Budinauckas spent last season on loan at Stranraer and helped save them from relegation from the Scottish League when they won a play-off against East Kilbride to stay up. And he insists learning from two huge figures at Ibrox can help him kick on. He said: “Stranraer was a great experience, getting a taste of first team football.

“The celebrations were great when we stayed up and it was a long weekend to say the least. This season has been good for me because I am training with the first team at Rangers.

“I signed an extension in the summer so I’ll try and keep pushing on. I’m learning from Jack and Liam Kelly. Jack’s been brilliant for me and so is Liam. They are two great guys. I have been spoiled really over the years - McGregor before that and Jon McLaughlin too.

“Allan’s definitely the guy I’ve always looked up to. I’d love to follow in his footsteps.”

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