Mark Warburton has warned Gedion Zelalem that he is not guaranteed a place in the Rangers first team.

The 18-year-old midfielder joined the Gers on a short-term loan deal from Arsenal on Monday.

While admitting that the youngster is "very talented", Warburton has insisted that Zelalem will have to fight for a spot in the side at Ibrox Stadium.

"He's a very talented ball player, and he trained yesterday morning. He comes from a top-class Premier League club and he's exciting and makes good decisions, but he is still a young player with a lot of learning still to do, although there is no doubt in my mind that he will go on to play at the highest levels of the game," he told the club's official website.

"He'll impact our first team, but he's not guaranteed a place – it doesn't work that way here. Everyone has to earn their shirt, earn their pitch time, and it's about the squad of players and how we work together on the training pitch."

Rangers return to action tomorrow night when they make the trip to Airdrieonians in the Scottish League Cup second round.