Rangers fans have lauded highly-rated youth player Tyler Pasnik after he signed his first professional contract at Ibrox.
The 16-year-old’s deal was announced via the Rangers Youth Academy Twitter account on Wednesday afternoon.
📝 Congratulations to Tyler Pasnik, age 16, signing his first professional contract at #RangersFC.
Tyler joined the Broxi Bears aged 4 and then progressed to the academy aged 10. pic.twitter.com/B06TXCf1cE
— Rangers Youth Academy (@RFC_Youth) February 24, 2021
It’s a major achievement for Pasnik, 12 years after he joined the ‘Broxi Bears’ and six years after he moved up to the Academy.
The teenager can play in midfield or as a forward and has already impressed for the Gers at U18 level, scoring and notching an assist in a 3-0 win over Celtic earlier this season.
Rangers fans have lauded highly-rated youth player Tyler Pasnik after he signed his first professional Ibrox contract. (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
“Delighted to have signed my first professional contract for my boyhood club,” tweeted Pasnik in reaction to the news. “Thanks to my family and teammates for getting me to this point, hard work begins now #WATP.”
The message went down well with Rangers fans, many of whom took the chance to praise the Academy starlet for his efforts so far and to wish him well for the future.
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Here’s a selection of reactions:
What a day for you and your family. Grab the opportunity with both hands and learn from others mistakes. All you can do is give it everything now and I hope you have a long and successful career👍❤🤍💙🥳
— Walter White (@WalterW31347418) February 24, 2021
Welcome to the party
— John Mc Dowall (@JohnMcDowall20) February 24, 2021
— Dean 💙 (@Urban1Dean) February 24, 2021
Congratulations lad, hope to see you in the first team when the times right. Keep the head down and the feet on the ground 🇬🇧🇬🇧 #WATP #55
— TheGloriousBlueGuru (@GarM44505994) February 25, 2021
Well done Tyler, dreams really do come true! Work hard pal and make it yours, you only get one chance 👍💙🇬🇧
— billy w 🏴 🇬🇧 (@billymanc) February 24, 2021
Absolutely brilliant attitude young man. ❤️🤍💙🇬🇧👌
— Alex Ferguson (@AlexFerguson50) February 24, 2021
Well done young man, live the dream
— Real Board (@theboardlfc) February 24, 2021
Congratulations young man WATP
— Pablo (@bigpaulg44) February 24, 2021
Good on ye wee man, congratulations 🤟🤟
— Arise, Sir Steven of Gerrard (@jolly_Ranger_55) February 24, 2021
Rangers Academy coaches David McCallum and Cameron Campbell have plenty of exciting attacking talent at their disposal, with Pasnik joined in the U18 squad by ex-Blackpool striker Tony Weston, former Man United and Liverpool trialist James Graham and ex-Glentoran starlet Charlie Lindsay.
However, the most highly-rated Gers player in that age bracket is Leon King.
The young defender made the first-team matchday squad for Sunday’s Premiership win over Dundee United before being named amongst the substitutes for Rangers’ Europa League Round of 32 second-leg clash against Royal Antwerp on Thursday evening.