An interesting Rangers Development squad has been named for tonight’s Glasgow Cup clash with Partick Thistle.
Unlike in previous seasons, Thistle, Clyde and Queen’s Park are entering their first-teams into the competition. Celtic, like Rangers, have deployed a development squad.
Each team plays each other twice and the two who top the league standings at the end will progress to the cup final.
Rangers name intriguing lineup for Jags clash
It’s a great chance outwith the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup, for Rangers’ best youngsters to gain experience playing against senior teams.
This evening, the likes of Lewis Mayo, Rhys Breen and the impressive Dapo Mebude are all named in the XI. Kai Kennedy and Nathan Young-Coombes, who were part of last season’s U17s Alkass Cup-winning unit, are both also involved tonight, with Kennedy earning a start.
Something of a mystery also appears to have been solved with this selection. Serge Atakayi, who posted a cryptic message on Instagram on Monday evening, is named on the bench. This suggests that there is no grand fall-out or impending transfer and that injury was probably the cause of his unexplained absence over recent times.
Furthermore, multiple first-team players are also included. Recent arrivals Jake Hastie and Brandon Barker start on opposite wings. It’s a great chance for both players, who are currently down the pecking order, to show what they can do.
Matt Polster, who has just three Gers appearances despite joining way back in January, also gets the nod.
There’s a great blend of ages and experience in this side and hopefully, they can kick their Glasgow Cup campaign off with a win at the C&G Systems Stadium in Dumbarton.
