Rangers boss Philippe Clement has previously pledged to give youth a chance at Ibrox.
The Belgian manager has handed opportunities to Ross McCausland, Robbie Fraser and Cole McKinnon thus far but there are others knocking on Clement’s door.
After taking in the Rangers B team’s thumping 4-1 win over Stenhousemuir, there was plenty for Philippe Clement to think about come full-time.
But as one young Rangers star prepares to make his Europa League debut against FCSB, the Ibrox gaffer has been tempering expectations.
Zak Lovelace back in Rangers contention
Young Rangers striker Zak Lovelace is one of several who have been unable to shake the Ibrox injury curse in recent seasons.
Handed a start alongside Ross McCausland in a 2-0 win over St Mirren last October, as the young Northern Irishman has pushed on Lovelace has been left trying to rebuild his fitness.
Two serious injuries have severely hampered the 18-year-old’s development but now the young attacker looks set to be handed more opportunities at Rangers.
As the hype builds around Zak Lovelace following that showing v Stenhousemuir, Clement has tempered expectations with the kid still having a way to go before he can be expected to make a consistent impact.
It comes as Clement confirms Lovelace will be in the squad for the Europa League clash against Romanian outfit FCSB with the club’s options limited due to injury.
The young striker is yet to play in the Europa League and was hooked on 45 minutes against Stenhousemuir to keep him fresh for a potential debut.
Rangers fans have also been clear that they want to see more of Zak Lovelace after a series of insipid attacking performances from their team.
Philippe Clement ready to hand out Europa League debut
“(Zak Lovelace) will be in the selection (v FCSB),” Clement told the press ahead of the Europa League clash.
“Zak is not there for the fans to be excited for ten games in a row.
“He can do specific things in another style than other players in the squad but there are still also a lot of things to work on.
“But that’s normal, he’s only 18 or 19 years old, but he’s an interesting profile for the future and for the near future, maybe also.
“We decided before the game it was maximum 60 minutes before the (B Team) game is was maximum 60 minutes to play and we would decide during half-time if it was 45 or 60.
“In 45 I saw enough because I want him on the bench for Thursday also if it’s necessary we can use that sort of profile, what we have less because of injuries.”
