Rangers star benefited from Hamilton Accies loan as she signs first pro deal

Eilidh Austin says a loan spell at Hamilton Accies has given her more drive, and hopes to thrive after signing her first professional contract at Rangers.

The 18-year-old from Wishaw is one of three Rangers stars to sign pro terms with the Ibrox club under Jo Potter, and Austin reckons she can only improve.

Defender Austin spent the second half of last season at Accies , while also learning from experienced team-mates at Rangers.

She told Rangers TV: “I don’t think I would be the player I am right now without going out on loan.

“It brought me out of my shell, and made me a bit more confident. It just gave me experience, playing at SWPL1 level, which is what I needed.

“They have helped me a lot, just welcomed me in. It is good to be able to learn off them.

“I think they are all very good players and can play at a very high level, so to be able to learn off them is amazing.

“It has been good to play at a high level again, the training is always a really high standard, and it is very competitive, so it is good to be amongst it.

“I’m really excited. You can see she [Potter] is very good and that she gives you tips all the time and she wants to just make you a better player, so I am hoping she makes me one.”

Austin added: “I have played with the academy since I was 12, played through U14s, U16s and U18s, right through to the first team, and it has been a really good experience.

“I have had to sacrifice a lot, not being able to go out with my friends because of training and games, but I wouldn’t change that for anything.”

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