Charlie Adam says he's learned from Spanish superstars

Jul 13 2008 Mark Guidi

CHARLIE ADAM wants to hold down a regular top-team spot at Ibrox this season and is hoping three Spanish superstars will help him do it.

The Rangers midfielder picked up plenty facing Barcelona pair Xavi and Andres Iniesta in the Champions League.

And he added to his knowledge by watching Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas excel as Spain triumphed in style at Euro 2008.

Now 23-year-old Charlie aims to use his Spanish lessons to help force his way to the top of the pecking order at Ibrox.

Adam made 32 appearances for Gers last season but wants to build on that in the new campaign and will not be satisfied with an appearance here and there.

That's why he has pushed himself during pre-season and is determined to catch Walter Smith's eye in this week's tour of Germany.

Adam told Mail Sport: "I feel I have sort of served a good apprenticeship having played for the reserves then spent a season in the First Division with St Mirren.

"I broke into the team under Paul Le Guen and carried on when Walter took over.

"There can be few complaints from me with the way things have gone so far in my career but it is now time to take it on.

"I'm no longer a kid and it's time I was playing every week. I'm at the stage I'm not going to be happy with a game now and again.

"I want to play a major part toward helping this club have a successful season.

"I'm determined to deliver and hope I'm given the chance to show what I can do.

"Last season had some good moments and I enjoyed my goal against Stuttgart in the Champions League. To realise I could perform at that level was a real highlight.

"I also picked up things from being on that stage and going up against Xavi and Iniesta was a great learning curve.

"They are in a group of the best midfielders in the world. They never give the ball away. Possession is king at that level and you will never get to the top if you can't keep the ball.

"Both were also good for Spain during the Euros and were helped by Fabregas. He was brilliant, again never wasting a ball.

"Knowing when to pass and when to keep the ball are things I have to add to my game.

"When you're on the pitch you have to make hundreds of decisions in every game and it's vital to get as many as possible right. That's what I will be concentrating on.

"Sometimes it can be simple things you work on but they can be the difference between winning or losing and keeping your place in the team."

The first competitive game Rangers will play is on July 30 in a Champions League qualifier against the winners of the tie between Kaunas and Santa Coloma.

Adam hopes to be involved and said: "The Champions League is where we want to be and where we need to be. We had a good run in Europe last season and there will now be an expectation to qualify.

"We will probably play Kaunas and if we get past that there will be a tasty outfit waiting for us in the final qualifier.

"I believe we could end up meeting Atletico Madrid at that stage. It would be quite a tie.

"We wouldn't be scared of them and I'm sure, given our recent record in Europe, they wouldn't be too keen on playing us.

"So there's no doubt the next five or six weeks are going to be vital for the club.

"We want to be on a high and feeling good about ourselves by the end of August."

Adam is certainly in good spirits at the moment.

He holidayed in South Africa in the summer, visiting relatives there, then spent time in America.

He is looking lean after shifting a few kilos and has enjoyed his pre-season training programme.

The serious business starts now and Adam is likely to have to battle it out with Lee McCulloch and Kyle Lafferty for the left midfield slot.

Charlie said: "I enjoyed my break but it wasn't a case of total relaxation as I worked on my own to make sure I was in decent condition for coming back.

"With so many players fighting for a first-team spot you can't afford to switch off. I want to make an early impression and not be playing catch up.

"It's up to me to be ready and take any chance that comes my way - that's what I intend to do."