Former Rangers forward Peter Lovenkrands knows exactly what it takes to score at Ibrox, and it was his wisdom which helped inspired one of the new crop in Nathan Young-Coombes.
The talented young English forward scored the second goal as the Rangers Colts ran out 2-0 winners over Wrexham in the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup.
And Rangers Colts manager Graeme Murty revealed that it was a stern half-time pep talk from the Danish winger that helped inspire the finish of the former Chelsea youth.
“Peter Lovenkrands actually said to him at half-time ‘there’s a shot that’s come off the goalkeeper, where were you?’,” said Murty [RangersTV].
“And Nathan kind of looked a little bit guilty so he made sure he got in (for his goal) as good centre forwards do.
“A spill, a rebound, challenge the goalkeeper, sometimes you don’t get them, sometimes they are called by the referee but we got it and we are thankful for it.
“It’s a good instinct and a good habit to have for a striker to be in the right place at the right time.”
Murty’s comments follow on from those of Young-Coombes himself who explained after the match that’s he has been watching reruns of Lovenkrands’ old goals for Rangers.
The young forward explained that Academy coach Peter was “honing in the message of getting in and around the six-yard box that is where you are going to get your goals, be lethal, be alive” [Rangers].
Young-Coombes got the second goal after following in on a Jamie Barjonas shot in the second half, so the training and guidance are clearly paying off.
The Colts are now in the hat for the semi-final of the tournament where they will be joined by Raith Rovers, Partick Thistle and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
