Philippe Clement is used to turning to youth team players throughout his managerial career and it is a familiar story at Rangers.
The manager is the man in the middle as the club goes under a reset from top to bottom and not just in terms of the playing squad.
Zak Lovelace and Findlay Curtis have benefited from the change of tact with another Rangers academy product conspicuous by his absence in recent weeks.
Archie Stevens gets set for Rangers loan exit
Capped at youth level by England, Archie Stevens arrived at the Rangers Training Ground from Wimbledon and duly made his first team debut at 16.
Into the last year of his contract and Rangers News understands that Stevens, who has yet to agree terms for a contract extension, could be heading to Dunfermline on loan for the rest of the campaign.
With Curtis signing a new deal and Lovelace being offered terms, it is a surprise not to see Stevens’ name also being mentioned in terms of contract talks.
Rangers have a duty of care with their young players and it may be that the 19-year old is being sent out to put him in the shop window and to improve his options.
Alternatively, a new contract might be in the works and Clement’s policy of sending young players on the fringes of the first team squad out on loan is being put into practice.
Stevens is a talented forward capable of playing on either wing and was expected to be one of the next to make the step up.
What has Stevens said about forcing his way into Rangers first team?
Speaking to the Rangers media team in August shortly after appearing in a friendly against Birmingham City with the senior squad, Stevens – who has been targeted by Leeds United – was clearly happy to have made the move to Glasgow and setting his sights high:
“I want to perform well and continue improving as a player.
“I want to get round the other side of the building, both in training and games. I want to continue performing to a good standard and hopefully the rest will come.
“The gaffer likes using young players, so he’s always watching the B Team.
“You’re always being watched, even in training. You need to treat every day the same, and have the desire and purpose to get round to the first-team side of the building.
“I’m going into my third season so I’ve done two years. I’ve enjoyed every minute and hopefully I can keep pushing on.
“I feel like one of the more experienced players in the B Team and I’m loving it.
“The Birmingham game? It was brilliant. My family came down as well so it was a great moment for us all.
“To get minutes for the first-team is what you want, and hopefully I can get some more if I keep working hard.”
Hopefully, Stevens proposed loan move is one to get him out playing games with a view to promoting him next season, losing the best academy players for nothing isn’t how a successful player trading model works.
