Steven Lennon is willing to go to England via Firhill to show Rangers manager Walter Smith that he is worthy of a place in his squad.The 20-year-old striker is contracted to the Ibrox club until 2010 but joined Partick Thistle on loan in the summer in order to gain first-team experience.

Lennon, who flew out with the Scotland Under-21 squad for their European Championship qualifier against Lithuania in Marijampole on Wednesday night, said he would try for a move to England in January if it helps him achieve his dream of a first-team place at Rangers.

He said: "My main ambition is to play in the Rangers first team but I just needed to start playing. I have been with Rangers a long time and I was sitting in the reserves.

"I wanted to go on loan last year but the club weren't keen but this summer I pushed for it.

"So I am out for experience and hopefully I will go back and try and get into the manager's plans.

"But if that doesn't happen, hopefully I will go down to England for the rest of the season."

Lennon is under no illusions over how difficult it will be to find a place in Smith's plans.

He said: "It's really difficult at Rangers and Celtic, they always bring in new signings.

"There are about eight players for my position so it is hard but you need to get on with it and hopefully get a bit of luck.

"There are a lot of good players in the reserves like Dean Furman and John Fleck.

"They could play in the first team but there is a lot of players in the first team squad and it's hard to push yourself into it.

"I think the best way is to show what you can do in the First Division or maybe down in England."

Billy Stark's side trail Finland by five points in Group 6 and probably need to win their last three matches to qualify for the finals.

Lennon is confident the young Scots can take maximum points, starting against Lithuania.

He said: "If we win this game we go joint second, a couple of points off the lead.

"We have a good enough squad to compete against the top countries and so if we win over in Lithuania, we should go on and qualify."

More Football News from TEAMtalk