Rangers loanee Daniel Finlayson is targeting the USL Championship title after making a strong professional debut for Orange County SC [Orange County SC Twitter].
Finlayson, Cammy Palmer and Matthew Shiels all joined the USL Championship side on loan in February as the first trio of Gers Academy players to benefit from the new partnership between the clubs.
Yet, soon after their arrival, fixtures were suspended amid the global health crisis and it has been a long wait for football to resume.
OCSC restarted their campaign with a fixture against Phoenix Rising FC last Friday, though, and Finlayson made his first-ever professional appearance.
Starting the game at the back alongside ex-Ger Rob Kiernan, the 19-year-old impressed as the hosts came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw.
The Northern Ireland youth international expressed his delight at making his first-team bow before speaking about his goals for the season.
“It felt excellent to get out and play our first league game, it was good to start,” he said [Orange County SC Twitter]. “Of course we wanted the three points because that’s the quality we have in this team but I think we gave a good fight.”
“The expectation for the rest of the year is obviously to win the Championship. That’s why we came to such a good club and a good team.”
“On a personal note, I want to play as many games as I can and help the team as much as I can to win that Championship.”
Finlayson will be hoping he did enough on debut to remain in the side for this weekend’s fixture against the same opposition.
Meanwhile, Palmer – who spent time on loan at Partick Thistle last season – and Shiels – who has previously had stints at both Edinburgh City and Dumbarton – will both be hoping to break into the squad sooner rather than later.
