Impressive young Rangers left-back Robbie Fraser has signed a contract extension at the club and is targeting a first-team breakthrough.
18-year-old Fraser has been a regular for the B Team in the Lowland League this season.
During the early stages of the campaign, Adam Devine was often the more prominent of David McCallum’s two full-backs.
However, Fraser’s stock has risen in recent months after improvements to both the defensive and attacking sides to his game.
Full-back lands Rangers contract extension
Now, he’s been rewarded with a contract extension, tying him to the club until the summer of 2023.
“It gives me so much pride,” said Fraser [Rangers.co.uk]. “I had a real buzz inside getting the pen and signing a new deal. I was getting a lot compliments off of the coaches telling me that I’ve done so well, and I’ve earned it – it makes me feel proud, but the hard work doesn’t stop, I’m trying to strive for the next one and try to get down the hall.”
“I feel like I’m getting closer to making that next step into the first team hopefully. I felt that it was the right opportunity to push on.
“This is the club I love, and support and I’ve been at the club since I was seven. I’m in a good place, I’m happy and enjoying my football. It’s nice to have a bit more security where I can go and enjoy the future now with this club.”
Rangers head of academy Craig Mulholland described Fraser as a player with an elite mindset who pushes himself every day [Rangers.co.uk].
Could Fraser make first-team breakthrough?
The first challenge for any youngster at Rangers is becoming the best player in their position in the Academy.
James Maxwell appeared to be a big threat to Fraser for some time but he looks set to be released when his contract expires in the summer and while he’s been impressing on loan at Ayr United, he’s been deployed in a more advanced role there.
Then, attention turns to what the current options are like in that position at first-team level.
Right now, Rangers have two left-backs in Borna Barisic and Calvin Bassey.
Barisic was a key man last season but he’s currently underperforming and while Bassey is a good prospect, he’s not without his flaws.
Therefore, there may well be an opening for Fraser – who has trained with the first-team before – if he can kick on over the next year to 18 months.
Meanwhile, an exciting striker scored again on Friday but Rangers U18s slipped to a shock defeat to the team who’re currently bottom of the table.
