On-loan Rangers ace Ross McCrorie reveals Portsmouth injury frustrations - but focus now is on delivering promotion

But the on-loan Rangers ace is determined to make up for lost time and help the Blues achieve their goal of promotion at the end of the season.

The Scotland under-21 international made a return to the Pompey team on Saturday, when he came on as a second-half substitute in the 2-0 win against Shrewsbury.

He missed 13 games in all competitions following a hamstring injury he picked up in the pre-Christmas victory against Ipswich at Fratton Park.

However, McCrorie made an instant impact against the Shrews, providing the cross for Ellis Harrison’s opener just four minutes after his introduction.

That provided the talented 21-year-old with a welcome moment to savour in a Blues shirt.

His loan stint on the south coast has seen his progress hampered by injuries, with the hamstring set-back suffered against the Tractor Boys his second since arriving from Rangers in July.

In total, approximately 12 weeks passed without him being available for selection.

Yet, following extensive rehab at both the Blues and his parent club – coupled with a mid-season trip to Dubai with the Ibrox side – McCrorie is determined to put his injury problems behind him.

He believes Pompey fans have yet to see the best of him, while his focus now centres on Pompey’s pursuit of a Championship return.

Speaking to the Blues’ Johnny Moore on YouTube, the Scot said: ‘It's been hugely frustrating (the injuries), especially when I think I've been fine, and then it (the hamstring setback) happened again.

‘I think we took an extra couple of weeks to make sure it was right, so hopefully this is a good sign, hopefully I'll hold out and it will be fine.

‘I did a lot of strength work with the physios down here and the physios up at Rangers to make sure it doesn't happen again.

‘So I feel strong, I feel fit again, and I think I showed that at the weekend. I felt strong and raring to go.

'I’ve definitely got a lot more to offer.

‘Obviously, I've been hindered a bit with my injuries this season and have a lot more to offer the fans down here in Portsmouth.

‘There's a lot of games coming up, and, along with all the boys in the changing room, we want to do well this season.’

McCrorie’s Pompey future was the subject of much speculation in January, with Rangers boss Steven Gerrard having the option to recall him early from his stint on the south coast.

That course of action never materialised, though, ensuring the midfielder-cum-right-back would serve out the remainder of his season-long loan at Fratton Park.

The player was asked about his thoughts beyond the end of the current campaign.

However, McCrorie reiterated his aim at present centred on ensuring a successful end to the season with the Blues – and not the next next of his career.

He added: I'm not looking at the end of the season.

'I'm focused on Portsmouth, Portsmouth's my club right now and my aim personally is to aim for promotion.

‘I’m sure all the boys in there are the same so I'll just focus on getting myself fully fit, focus on the now, and the other things will take care of themselves at the end of the season.’