Darren Cole eager to push on after dream Rangers debut

THE number '2013' was being paraded on Darren Cole's Rangers shirt yesterday. While the reason for this was a very satisfying one, what Cole really wants to see are his initials displayed prominently on his training gear.

Not that he can't be satisfied with his progress so far. Cole has just signed a new two-and-a-half year contract - hence the year that was displayed on his jersey - but the real mark of success will be left by a needle and thread.

"At some stage the manager decides the players no longer have a number on their shirt but their initials, as happens at Rangers, and they will move to the first-team changing room," explained Tommy Wilson, the Rangers reserve team coach. "The manager will make that decision when he knows he (Cole] is ready."

It is obvious that Walter Smith has already been greatly impressed by the 18-year-old, and Cole is among those who will surely benefit if the line of succession to the manager's chair will see Ally McCoist, who takes a keen interest in all the young players at Murray Park, take charge next season.

Whether it is McCoist or someone else, Rangers simply hope Cole is set to build on a tradition of full backs from Edinburgh who have starred for the club. Sandy Jardine went on to play nearly 700 games for Rangers, and, like Cole, grew up a Hearts fan. Cole has played just one match to date, but not even Jardine can boast of having made his debut in Europe's premier club competition.

Cole played 80 minutes of Rangers' last Champions League