Cole McKinnon is used to living with a big reputation.
Now the Rangers Academy starlet is determined to make a Somerset statement after becoming Ayr’s first January signing.
The 21-year-old, who scored on his debut for the Light Blues and has also tasted European action, is set to bolster United’s midfield options after agreeing a loan deal until the end of the season.
And with just six months to go on his deal at Ibrox, he admits the spotlight is on him to produce the goods.
McKinnon told the Ayrshire Post: “I’d like to think I carry myself well so it wouldn’t matter to me whether I was out of contract in the summer or not.
“I will always approach everything the same but it probably does add that little bit more pressure to come here and perform.
“I will do as well for the club as I can and take things from there.
“Coming here is a great opportunity and getting the chance to work under the manager and Whitts (Steven Whittaker) can only help develop my career.”
McKinnon has been highly touted at Ibrox since breaking on to the scene and scoring on his debut as a substitute at Hearts in 2022.
A loan spell at Partick Thistle followed before McKinnon again flirted with the Rangers first team, being handed a European debut in Benfica by Philippe Clement last year.
Now he’s ready to step back down to the Championship and add another dimension to Ayr’s title challenge.
He said: “It’s a tough league, I know that from my time on loan at Partick at a young age.
“It’s one of the toughest leagues in Scotland that you can be involved in so the challenge for me is clear.
“The team is doing well and having spoken to the gaffer, he wants me to come in and add goals and assists to my stats, and my parent club are saying the same thing.
“There were a few options on the table but once I spoke to the gaffer and Whitts, they really sold me on it and you can see the direction of the club and the way it’s going, so I’m really excited to be here.”