They say the closing of one window leads to another opening, and that could certainly be the case with one of Rangers’ budding young talents.
How many times over the years has a player been fast-tracked out of the academy due to an injury suffered by a more senior player?
Perhaps the most famous example can be found at Manchester United. A little-known teenager by the name of Marcus Rashford exploding onto the scene with a fantastical debut brace after Anthony Martial was ruled out in the warm-up during a 2016 Europa League dismantling of FC Midtjylland.
Now, obviously that was a one-in-a-million scenario.
But with Ridvan Yilmaz facing between a month and six weeks out due to the thigh injury he picked up during that 2-0 defeat to Dynamo Kyiv on Tuesday, it may be Robbie Fraser’s turn to ‘do a Rashford’ and prove he can be trusted to shine at senior level.
Philippe Clement shows faith in Rangers’ Robbie Fraser
Rangers have been linked with a move for Rashford’s former Old Trafford team-mate Brandon Williams in the aftermath of Yilmaz’s latest blow.
Williams, per the Daily Record, is currently a free-agent.
Clement, however, insists that Rangers would prefer to look internally for a solution rather than to bring in an external option from outside. And that should be music to the ears of a 21-year-old full-back who has only 89 minutes of first-team minutes under his belt.
|I don’t think we have the assets to do those things now,” Clement says when asked if he will be forced into the market for a new left-back, via Rangers’ official YouTube channel. “I think we need to put all the focus on the positions we need for the squad for the rest of the season.
“Because getting a full back in now (means) to have Ridvan and Jefte for the rest of the season and three full backs.
“We have a third one with Robbie Fraser, who made a really good evolution the last couple of months. So it’s his time also to take chances. And he did really positive things in this pre-season also.
“So there’s also part of the story to give chances to guys coming out of academy. Do we expect them directly to be the best player on the pitch? Also not possible.
“But they can grow out of that.”
Ridvan Yilmaz injury opens up an opportunity
Fraser made his Rangers bow in May, coming off the bench against Dundee. Then came a first start in that 3-3 final day draw with Hearts at Tynecastle.
In a further show of faith, the Glasgow giants extended Fraser’s contract until 2026 over the summer. The Glasgow-born wideman spoke warmly about Clement’s faith in youth after putting pen to paper, too.
“It’s a special moment and a big day for people close to me, my family and friends,” Fraser told the Rangers website.
“I take so much pride in being involved with this football club and it’s a really good feeling to stay for a couple more years.
“The manager has shown an added faith in the young players, and he has given me my opportunity in the first-team which I’m so happy about.
“I have a lot to be thankful for and I can really see positive strides for me moving forward.”
Clement’s Ridvan-less Rangers take on St Johnstone in the Scottish League Cup on Saturday.
