The Portsmouth switch that's taken Rangers loanee Ross McCrorie to the next level

McCrorie arrived at Pompey as one of the most exciting young midfielders in Scotland when joining on a season-long loan from Rangers in July.

However, it’s been a shift to defence where the Fratton faithful have seen the best of the 22-year-old.

His athletic attributes convinced Kenny Jackett that McCrorie would be more suited to operating in a full-back role, following mixed performances in the engine room.

The right-hand side of defence has been the role where the majority of his 22 appearances for the Blues have come from during this season’s League One promotion push.

McCrorie revealed he’s given a licence to foray forward by Jackett, which suits him more when he’s policed the middle of the park.

And having also played there while captaining Scotland under-21, it’s a position he feels has improved his level of displays.

McCrorie said: ‘I’ve played at right-back for Scotland under-21 for the past couple of years – it’s something Malky Mackay (director of Scottish football) and Scott Gemmill (Scotland under-21 manager) spoke to me about.

‘Playing centre-midfield and right-back at Portsmouth, I think it possibly suits me better playing right-back there because of the way I’ve fitted into the team.

‘I’m comfortable, feel confident and equally as adept to do both and I’ve really enjoyed it.

‘Different set-ups suit different teams and maybe it’s a bit more direct at Portsmouth whereas Rangers try to play the ball through midfield.

‘You see a lot of the ball in the right-back area at Portsmouth and the gaffer gives me that freedom to go and drive 20-30 yards with the ball.

‘The gaffer pulled me in when I first arrived and spoke about my athletic ability. That’s maybe something I can't use as much when I’m playing as a centre-midfielder.

‘It’s short runs and you’ve got to hold your position, whereas at right-back athleticism is a big part of the game.

‘The gaffer's given me the licence to attack and defend and that’s what I think I've thrived off.

‘It gives me confidence to push on when they give that extra freedom to kick on.

‘Right-back, for Portsmouth, is where I could see myself moving forward and it’s a position I've really liked, felt extremely comfortable and could probably say I’ve taken my game to another level you could say.’

A recurring hamstring injury has limited McCrorie’s availability during his time at Pompey.

After suffering the setback for a second time during the 1-0 win over Ipswich in December, the former Ayr United man returned to Rangers to undergo his rehabilitation.

And since returning to full fitness, he's felt no problems.

McCrorie added: ‘The first time, I think I came back too quick and down to a bit of eagerness to get back and playing.

‘We took extra time when it recurred so that’s why it never went again and had a good run of games.

‘I’ve never really had muscle injuries and it was just a one-off because now I feel fit and 100 per cent.’