Rangers Academy coach Graeme Murty says Jamie Barjonas has some of the traits required to make it at Ibrox, as quoted by the Glasgow Evening Times.
The 20-year-old midfielder signed a new contract with the club last month, tying him to the Gers until 2021.
As a leader in the Colts side which has done so well to reach the semi-final of the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup, Barjonas has shown his eye for goal on multiple occasions, most recently netting the opener in Saturday’s quarter-final win over Wrexham.
His last taste of first-team action came back in December 2017, but he’s been tipped to kick on and add to his nine league outings.
“We just have to make sure that we continue his development on and make sure that we put the platform in place for him to keep growing and improving as a player and then it is up to him to take that final step and really nail that final audition,” said Murty, as quoted by the Glasgow Evening Times.
“Let’s not forget, he has to go into a first-team dressing room full of internationals and deal with the characters. He has to have a bit of personality about him and he has definitely got that, definitely got confidence.
“The first team will show him and deal with him in the manner which they deem appropriate to try and get him to that next level. It is up to him to take those lessons on board and continue his progression.”
Verdict
It was great to see the club reward Barjonas with a new deal last month, following his strong performances at Colts and Development level.
In recent times, highly-rated Academy talents like Andrew Dallas and Ryan Hardie have left the club after not managing to break into the senior squad, while others such as Ross McCrorie, have slipped down the pecking order and headed out on loan.
The youth teams are doing extremely well right now, but it’s important that youngsters see playing for the first team in the future as a genuine possibility if they work hard enough.
Having been with the club since the age of nine, Barjonas would be the perfect example if he could make that final step.
The Gers have bags of quality in the midfield area, but he’ll be hoping that if he keeps improving, Stevie G will have room for a homegrown talent.
