Exclusive:Former Rangers kid takes Macclesfield inspiration as he aims to grasp 'lost' Ibrox opportunity

The 24-year-old former Gers youngster spent his formative years at Auchenhowie, winning countless trophies alongside the likes of future first-teamers Nathan Patterson, Leon King and Cole Mackinnon.

While he had been given opportunities to parade one of his many winners’ medals to the Rangerrs supporters alongside his teammates at half-time during his six-year stay at the club, his dream of playing at Ibrox continued evade him - even in the years after his departure.

“We won the Alkass Tournament in Qatar, we won the Scottish youth cup, the under-18s league, the Glasgow Cup,” recalled Muir. “We had a really good squad. It was a great mix of players. We added the likes of Dapo [Mebude], and Josh McPake. All players who have gone onto a different route since, but are doing really well.

“I played against the best of the best - Atletico Madrid, Manchester City. You can't ask for much more than that experience. [Youth team coach] Ally Dawson was a big mentor for me. When I first went to Rangers, I was playing midfield or further forward, and I transitioned into becoming a full-back. He took me under his wing and taught me a lot of the basics that you'd still stand by today.

“Malky Thomson helped me with the change into full-time football. Then you had Graeme Murty, Kevin Thomson, and Peter Lovenkrands too. They were people who had been there and done it, and you had to be a sponge. Take in as much as you can.”

Having opted to leave for pastures new in early 2020, with the aim of finding a club where he could play regular senior football, he was dealt the roughest of hands when the Covid-19 pandemic halted the game for several months. For a teenager fresh to the free agent market and desperate to make an impression, the timing couldn’t have been any worse.

“I was hoping to use the second half of the season to go on trial and find a new full-time opportunity,” said Muir. “I had some interest in Scotland and England. Then Covid hit, and I went from full-time football to delivering fish and chips for my local chippy. It was a reality check and a bit of a grounding for me. It stood me in great stead, though, because I learnt lessons which I still live by now that I am playing part-time football.”

After signing an amateur contract with Livingston, he received his first taste of senior football during loan spells with Gretna and Dalbeattie Star and was snapped up by hometown club Queen of the South shortly afterwards, making his professional debut under former Rangers and Scotland winger Allan Johnston in August 2021.

Just over a year on from his Queens bow, the Doonhamers landed a glamour League Cup tie under the lights at Ibrox. Three-and-a-half years on from his Rangers departure, Muir was naturally delighted when he was named amongst the substitutes.

However, while his teammate Lee Connelly created his own picture book moment by equalising with a stunning lobbed finish over Allan McGregor from the edge of the penalty area, Muir was forced to watch on as an unused substitute as his side lost 3-1. So, when Annan’s name was pulled out of the hat, Muir could be forgiven for erupting with joy.

Now a regular for at Galabank, having opting to make the switch from Palmerston Park in the summer of 2023, Muir has made over 70 appearances for Willie Gibson’s side and will be tasked with keeping the likes of Djeidi Gassama quiet on Friday night in Glasgow.

“I got that taste for it, but I was an unused sub,” said Muir. “You think 'will this be the last opportunity I get?' to play at Ibrox, or get one of the big boys. I was desperate to get on. But I was in and out of the matchday squad at the time. Being in the squad was massive, and I was just a young player - but it was still disappointing. It dangled a carrot and made me hungry to try and get an opportunity to do it again, and hopefully I will on Friday.

“I was having a meal with my girlfriend in Edinburgh when the draw came out. I was watching Sportsscene on my phone. I didn't speak for about 10 minutes, and I exploded when the draw came out. I was buzzing. I got a few funny looks from people at other tables who didn’t know what was going on.

“I had a gut feeling. I noticed halfway through the draw, looking through the list of teams, that a lot of Scottish Premiership teams were still in it. As soon Rangers came out first, I just knew we were going to get them. It is massive, it's the one I wanted personally.

“Last season, we let the club and fans down by losing to Fraserburgh, and then they went and drew Rangers at Ibrox in the next round. It is good for us as players, but it is also massive for the people at the club. We have volunteers who help keep the ground tidy. People who help keep the club running. It's for them as much as us. As players, we do what we can do. It helps financially, obviously, but it’s really a big day out for the people who work so hard for the club.

“All the boys are excited. As soon as the draw came out, everyone was buzzing. But then you have to put the brakes on and not talk about it until the week of it. It's one of those games that deals with itself. You just want it to be happening, really. We've been big on treating training the same.

“The biggest difference has been the SFA coming into training to do the VAR protocol. That's new to us, but everything we can control stays the same. The good thing with the cup is that anything can happen. Of course, we can take inspiration from the likes of Macclesfield Town beating Crystal Palace [in the English FA Cup] last week. We'll go out there to perform. But it's a tough ask, and Danny Rohl has them playing well at the moment. But we have to keep the same mindset.”