Rangers youngster Dapo Mebude’s Scotland career is now up and running after making his first appearance at under-19 level.
The Scots picked up a huge 2-1 win in Wales in Euro 2019 qualifying. Mebude came off the bench to win the penalty that would give Scotland all three points. Former Gers starlet, Billy Gilmour, was the man who netted both goals.
This comes at a big stage in Mebude’s career. The young forward was selected to travel with Rangers to Russia to face Spartak Moscow last week. Despite that, he never made an appearance in the match-day squad. There’s plenty of time for that, however.
What the Scotland win did show was the full effect of Rangers’ academy in all of its glory. Glenn Middleton, Jordan Houston, and Zak Rudden all started the victory in Wales. Mebude’s young team-mates – Stephen Kelly and Matthew Shields, were part of the bench.
The kids are all right
That means a grand total of six players from the Rangers academy were involved in the set-up. It’s impressive work from the Ibrox club, who are starting to seriously invest in their youth set-up.
The win in Wales was Scotland’s first game of the qualifying campaign. There are still two more matches to come in this international break for the under-19s. The young Scots face both San Marino and Sweden as they look to qualify for the under-19s Euro 2019.
Mebude’s first-team chances at Ibrox do look a lot further away than his Scotland debut was. Rangers continue to be in the market for a third striker after the failed loan-signing of Umar Sadiq.
Alfredo Morelos remains in incredible form, whilst Kyle Lafferty will stay as first reserve despite his early troubles. Opening, therefore, for Mebude could be difficult to come by.
The youngster will have to bide his time, but appearances like the one last night is the right way to get into Steven Gerrard’s thoughts.
