Rangers starlet John Fleck believes too much expectation has been placed on his young shoulders so far and insists he is not the next Wayne Rooney.
Fleck burst on to the scene when he made his senior competitive debut as a 16-year-old in January 2008, making him the youngest player to pull on the light blue jersey since Derek Ferguson back in 1983. A year later, a national newspaper placed Fleck - the nephew of former Rangers star Robert - seventh in their Top 50 Rising Stars of European football feature.
"People definitely expected too much of me," said Fleck, as he promoted the Scottish champions' new home kit at Ibrox. "I'm still a young boy and I think people expected me just to come out and be like Wayne Rooney every week but that's not going to happen."
Now 18, he hopes the forthcoming campaign will see him finally establish himself as a regular first-team pick in Walter Smith's side.
But the youngster admits comparisons with a certain Manchester United and England player have contributed to too much hype surrounding his fledgling career so far.
He added: "He's a world-class player and it takes time for a young boy to come through. I'm willing to be patient but hopefully I'll get my chance.
"I've been involved for the last couple of years now, coming off the bench and things like that, so hopefully this will be the season for me."
He added: "I wouldn't say it's a make or break season. I'm still young and hopefully I can just play as much as possible.
"I'm not saying I'm going to play every week or anything but if I'm doing well at training, the manager will make his choices.
"If I play, then great. If I don't, I just need to keep working hard."
Source: PA
