Daniel Finlayson was on Rangers’ books from the age of ten to 19. He did not play for the first team, something he always wanted to do, but on Sunday he hopes to get to nod to face his former club for the first time when they visit The Home of the Set Fare Arena in the William Hill Premiership (kick-off 15.00).
The Glasgow-born defender (pictured by Nigel Duncan) has had a round-about route in his career to get him to where he is today. He was loaned to Orange County in Southern California where he made 12 appearances, then to St Mirren where he played three games.
Then he played on 23 occasions for Fife-based Kelty Hearts on loan, scoring once, before going on loan to Norther Ireland club Linfield. He played 34 games that season, scoring once, before joining Linfield. There he played 33 games, scoring four goals, before move to West Lothian in 2024.
Since then, the 24-year-old has made over 30 appearances. He has also played on nine occasions for the Northern Ireland under-19 squad and once for the under-21 team.
So, as a former Rangers signing, he was he perfect choice to meet the media midweek to discuss Sunday’s game (kick-off 15.00).
Finlayson confirmed his fitness level is good currently and he is feeling good. The player added: “The first year you sign for any club it is hard to adapt. Every system is different. Now, I feel comfortable in the style of play and I always felt I could get to this stage.”
Livingston, of course, were one of the top teams in the Championship last term, earning a slot back in the William Hill Premiership through the pressure-pot, play-offs, and reviewing his career, overall, Finlayson said: “When I went away (abroad), my plan was always to come back.
“Obviously, it was disappointing to leave the Premiership with St Mirren at the time. I have a lot of respect for the manager (Stephen Robinson), but he said I was not ready.
“Looking back now, I probably was not ready and letting me go was probably the best thing for my career. At that point, St Mirren had a really good team.
“As a young defender you need to play games and you make mistakes and I am at the stage now when I am ready.”
Finlayson also recalled training as a teenager with the first team at Rangers and he described Ibrox as a great environment to lean your trade. The standards on and off the pitch were quality.
He shared a training pitch with stars including current skipper James Tavernier and one of his current team-mates at Livingston, Danny Wilson, was also there.
Wilson took the young player “under his wing”, and he added: “Players like Danny knew what the club is about.”
His current focus, however, is on picking up points for Livingston and solidifying their slot in the top echelon of Scottish football. He said: “The pressure of playing for Rangers is enormous and we are under no illusions, Sunday is going to be so hard.”
