Rangers could now see former academy striker Rory Wilson leave Aston Villa – or sign a new five-year contract with the club.
We would all like to see Rangers produce more first-team players from the academy setup.
That’s why Rangers have now brought in Belgian coach Zurab Amirian, in the hope of seeing more homegrown success.
Alex Lowry has potential but he needs to show quality on loan at Hearts in order to have a Rangers future.
Ross McCausland seems to have impressed Philippe Clement and there are big hopes for Bailey Rice, but losing Rory Wilson still stings.
Rory Wilson showed huge promise at Rangers
Wilson looked to be on a path to stardom as he scored goal after goal at just 16 in the Rangers youth setup.
Wilson certainly had the potential to become a first-team player at Rangers, but he chose to move on.
The teenage striker told The Glasgow Evening Times in May 2022 that he had decided to leave Rangers.
“Rangers have been brilliant for me. There’s no getting away from that,” said Wilson. “But it’s time to move on and get to the next level. I’d like to thank Rangers for everything they have done for me because it’s been great for me over the last eight years, but it’s time to leave.”
That hurt for Rangers, especially as Wilson chose to join Aston Villa just months after Steven Gerrard quit Rangers for the exact same move.
Wilson now attracting interest with Aston Villa
Wilson has been a sensation for Villa this season, already smashing 11 goals in just seven Under-18 Premier League games.
The 17-year-old has already played Under-21 football too, and appears to be attracting major interest.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Villa are now looking to thrash out a new five-year deal for Wilson having been impressed with his development.
The Scot may well choose to stay at Villa but Romano notes that Wilson is on the radar of many other clubs too.
Wilson will have a big decision to make soon enough, and Rangers will know all too well that the striker may see his future elsewhere.
