Kevin Thomson has provided an update on his new role back in the Rangers academy set-up.
Thomson made a return to the Rangers academy in February as a coach under Steven Smith, who is currently the Rangers U18s manager.
Smith has Liam Ross as his assistant boss, but Thomson chips in with his expertise as he juggles that role alongside the work he delivers for his own football academy in Edinburgh.
Just after Thomson was appointed at Rangers again, Philippe Clement was sacked as first-team manager and Barry Ferguson installed as his interim replacement.
Andy Halliday thought Thomson was a ‘stick on’ to join Ferguson’s coaching staff, but the former Rangers captain opted for Neil McCann and Billy Dodds.
Thomson shares ‘difficulty’ working at Rangers
Thomson has been in position at Rangers’ academy for nearly two months now and although his working week is a seven-day operation, the ex-Ibrox midfielder is enjoying working with the U18s.
However, he did stress that it’s also been a difficult time given the apathy surrounding the first-team at the moment, and that spreads across the age groups.
Thomson, speaking to Premier Sports, said: “Yeah, it’s been good, been back in a few months now so getting used to driving back through to Glasgow five days a week.
“It’s a wee bit different when you’re a player compared to a staff member! But really enjoying the boys, really enjoying working under Steven Smith, he’s got the group going really well.
“Boy called Liam Ross is his assistant and I’m kind of like a – I’d hate to describe me as a third wheel but I’m obviously part of that group and just try to help as much as I can.
“To be fair to the club (Rangers), they’ve been really supportive to try and accommodate the boys football and obviously my academy.
“Really enjoying it but obviously it is a difficult time because ultimately if the first-team have disappointments then you feel that right across the board.”
Rangers B and U18s changes this season
Rangers announced changes in the way their academy system works, more pertinently surrounding the games played by each age group.
The B team have moved away from the ‘best vs best’ games programme, meaning a different route for some of the squad’s players.
The likes of Findlay Curtis, Bailey Rice, Paul Nsio and Mason Munn have all been promoted to the first-team ranks, which happened under Philippe Clement’s tenure.
The rest of the B team were sent out on loan across Scotland in the January transfer window to gain regular minutes and continue their development.
With that, the U18s team which Thomson is involved in are now competing in the Glasgow Cup and Scottish Challenge Cup, competitions the B team previously played in.
