Chris Burke could have signed for Arsenal but chose Rangers instead - and went on to get an "unbelievable" upbringing at Ibrox.
After playing for Celtic Boys Club, the former winger moved to the Rangers academy in 2000, turning down the chance to head to London with the Premier League giants.
Being made to feel valued was a key factor in that decision and he felt part of a family instantly.
Burke was given chances to train with the first-team under Dick Advocaat and eventually broke into the team under Alex McLeish.
Reflecting on that, he told Rangers Youth Development Company: “Rangers made me feel valued. The club was welcoming and you had that sense of family. I had the chance to sign for Arsenal or Rangers and I chose Rangers.
“Dick Advocaat was also great with me and I got to train with the first-team a lot when he was manager. That gave me a great insight and I learned a lot when I was really young.
“Training with top players was always going to make me better and they were fantastic characters as well. It was on me if I didn’t make it. I had the best of everything and I was given the chance to flourish and I did.
“Fans always like seeing youth players coming through and I managed to get a goal 90 seconds into my debut against Kille. The Blue Heaven documentary was being made at that time and Big Eck called me into the squad late as there had been an injury.
“He trusted me and the players knew me as I had been training with them and to have a debut like that is what dreams are made of.
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“Scoring was just an unbelievable moment and I remember I was back playing with the 18s two days later for an important game."
Burke went on to have a strong career down south with Cardiff City, Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest and back in Scotland with Kilmarnock.
Being at Rangers as a youngster provided him with the grounding to go on and achieve that.
"I had an unbelievable upbringing at Rangers," he added. "They taught me so many values and behaviours, my family did as well of course, but it’s not easy going into an environment like Rangers.
“Every single day was fantastic for me. I appreciated it greatly and learned so much from youth coaches like John Brown and Billy Duncanson.
“They developed me as a player and a person first and foremost. I enjoyed my time at the Rangers Academy and then fortunately I got to play and learn from top players, coaches and managers at the club.
“Every kid is talented but you need a bit of luck along the way and I tried to take it all in and learn as much as I could.
“Jimmy Bell had a really huge influence on me as well because I always did the kit for the first-team. I remember walking to get the subway then going to Ibrox to help him with the kit before and after games and I was accountable. I was learning good lessons all the time.
"Bomber was my main youth coach and he was a terrific person who helped me develop. He knew I was talented but gave me the license and freedom to be myself and also made sure I didn’t step out of line. He was terrific in that aspect, as was Billy Duncanson.
