Rangers youngster Josh Gentles has made a telling revelation about his recent injury as he aims to become a first-team regular.
The 18-year-old striker is yet to make his first-team debut, but he has been impressive for the youth teams.
He moved to Alloa Athletic on loan for the second half of the 2025/26 campaign, but is now back in pre-season training, hoping to make an impression in front of Derek McInnes.
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Josh Gentles explains how injury blow was difficult to deal with last season
In an interview with the club’s official website, Gentles explained that the injury came at the worst possible time last season.
He registered two goals and four assists in four games, but then suffered a setback that kept getting worse.
Initially, he felt that it was a knock and would not be too serious, but that was not the case, derailing his loan spell.
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He said: “It was tough at the back end of last season because I was starting to do really well, playing consistently compared to the first six months of the season, then it was a big hit at a bad time.
“I had two goals and two assists in four games. I was quite happy in my first few games back because I felt I was getting fitter as I hadn’t played much at Raith.
“The timing wasn’t great, but sometimes these things happen that are out of your control.
“It was one of those where I thought it was just a knock, but then I found out I needed a scan, and it just got worse and worse
“The first few days are tough when you start going for scans and consultations, but once it settles, it’s okay.
“There were a few stages where I went from crutches into a boot, and there were little milestones which got me through it.
“It wasn’t great, but I actually thought it would be worse after the start.”
How Derek McInnes can get the best out of Gentles at Rangers
McInnes has a relatively thin squad at this stage in pre-season, so some of the youngsters, including Gentles, could be given a chance to prove their worth.
The Rangers boss can closely assess the 18-year-old’s training routines and his fitness to gauge if he’s ready for first-team football at Ibrox next season.
The striker was involved extensively in pre-season last season, so it is a good sign for him that the coaching staff are still admirers and are willing to bet on him for the long term.
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McInnes’ approach, which emphasises fitness, power and strength, will suit a young forward like Gentles who needs to build his physicality and tactical know-how.
It remains to be seen whether or not the Light Blues manager decides that a loan is the better alternative for him going into the new season.
His track record for developing academy players suggests that he will prioritise getting youngsters up the ranks and there could be an extended involvement for Gentles next season.
Being a former Rangers player, McInnes can provide guidance on what his former teammates did when they were in the teenager’s shoes, and that can certainly help the forward develop.
