NEW Morton goalie Aidan McAdams believes that his lower league loan spells will help him handle the challenge of the Championship.
The 21-year-old former Rangers and Celtic kid admits it can be easy to 'get caught in a bubble' when coming through the ranks with the Old Firm sides.
He feels that loans with Edinburgh City, Annan Athletic and Irish side Portadown have helped him mature on and off the park.
McAdams believes his stints with the League Two clubs will stand him in good stead and says he has taken to life with Ton like a duck to water following his Ibrox exit.
He told the Tele: “Due to the fact that I’ve been out on loan, it’s maybe not been as big of an adjustment or shock as some folk might’ve thought.
“I’ve obviously been away on loan to play first team games, but this will be me fighting for a No.1 jersey on a full-time basis for the first time.
“They were all part-time teams before, so I’d still do a lot of work in-house at Rangers and then usually train with them on a Tuesday and Thursday night.
“That gave me the idea of what real football is like.
“Reserve football isn’t the same as it used to be, where you had 11 first-teamers playing because they’d missed out on a Saturday.
“Playing it you can think football is easy - there’s not the physical side of it that you get in men’s football or the psychological edge of playing for three points on a Saturday.
“It’s an under-20s league now, more focused on youngsters getting games.
"I found that my loans were really beneficial because I know what men’s football is all about and what’s expected of you.
“Hopefully those spells can continue to come in handy throughout the season."
While he may be untried at Championship level, McAdams is confident that he can perform and prove his worth.
He said: “This is my first season in the Championship, so it’ll be a challenge and it's one I’m looking forward too.
“I back my ability and I’m confident that I can do well.
“I’ve really enjoyed the six weeks that I’ve had here so far.
"The experienced boys have been really good in guiding the squad and they’re going to be key going forward because we’re going with such a young group.
“Everybody will be looking up to them and hoping to take a leaf out of their book, but it’s going to be a great experience playing here.
“I knew a few of the boys already here, I played with Aidan Nesbitt at Celtic and I knew Lewis Strapp from my time down at Annan, so it settled my nerves a bit.
"That has made the process of settling into the group a lot easier.
“The number one jersey is up for grabs and now I’m looking forward to fighting for it in the season ahead.”
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