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Max Aarons hopes his last-minute winner against Livingston on Sunday can serve as a launchpad to kickstart his Rangers career.
Hailed as a key signing under Russell Martin when he arrived on loan from Bournemouth in the summer, Aarons has endured a torrid start to life at Ibrox.
The full-back's performances thus far have fallen a long way short of what was expected, with the nadir coming when he was sent off in the early stages of the 6-0 hammering against Club Brugge in a Champions League qualifer.
Aarons subsequently lost his place in the team and hadn’t been seen at all since that red card in Belgium in late August.
However, he came off the bench to seal a dramatic 2-1 win Sunday as under-fire boss Martin finally notched his first league victory.
Determined to now kick on after a baptism of fire in Glasgow, Aarons said: ‘No one was more disappointed than myself with the red card [against Brugge]. I've never been sent off in my career.
Max Aarons is overjoyed after scoring his late winner for Rangers against Livingston
It was a far cry from his nadir when Aarons was sent off in early stages of match with Club Brugge
Full-back Aarons fires home the stoppage-time winner that secured Rangers' first Premiership win of the season
‘A moment like that, a lapse in concentration, was extremely disappointing for me, especially in a crucial game like that.
‘It was always going to be a difficult game for the team, let alone with 10 men, so I knew I wanted to make up for that as quickly as possible.
‘The game on Sunday was the first chance for me on the pitch since then, so hopefully in a small way I've done that.
‘First and foremost, for me, that's the moment you dream of coming to this club, scoring a late winner like that.
‘But, for the team, I think it was huge. I think we deserved that on the large part, I think we were good and we looked more how we want to look.
‘Obviously I was disappointed not to play at the start but, from the side, I can see that the boys looked better.
‘We know being this far into the season and it being our first win is not good enough for this club. We know that.
‘But moments like that, getting the win so late, they build character and they build a trust within the team that we can get through the difficult spells.
‘We don't like it being this late into the season to get that first win, but I feel like we're starting to get better and perform with each other and get relationships.
Relief for Rangers as Max Aarons' shot hits the back of the Livingston net on Sunday
The Englishman dashes away to celebrate his crucial goal with his Rangers team-mates
It was a really important moment for Aarons, who has failed to convince Rangers fans since arriving on loan from Bournemouth in the summer
‘The aim is to be at the top part of the table, and that's what we've got to do.’
Aarons has played at the top level in England and in Spain during a loan spell with Valencia.
But he admits the sheer level of intensity and scrutiny in Glasgow has seen him take time to adjust since making his move in the summer.
‘It's different,’ said the 25-year-old Englishman. ‘I don't mean that in a bad way, I think it's just something that, in your first few games, you really realise it.
‘It's then about overcoming that and showing the character to deal with that. I also think it's a privilege to have that support, going to an away stadium on Sunday and having three stands, it felt like a home game.
‘Then it's on us to reward them with a good performance for them to watch, but most importantly a win.
‘The more we can do that now, hopefully those wins are going to really push us forward and build a stronger relationship with the group, the fans, everyone.’
