The Rangers B team suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of Gala Fairydean Rovers in the Lowland League on Saturday afternoon but an exciting young striker continued his outstanding form.
Although Leon King didn’t make the trip to the Netherdale Arena and Charlie Lindsay was on the bench after turning out for the U18s in midweek, David McCallum still named a strong starting XI.
Kyle McClelland wore the armband at centre-back, while ex-Man United youth Charlie McCann and Cole McKinnon were named in midfield.
It was a prolific forward who would get the Young Gers off to a flying start, though.
Tony Weston had already scored eight Lowland League goals before this fixture and he had the visitors 1-0 up in just the fourth minute.
The former Blackpool starlet found the bottom left corner with a good finish following a run and cutback from Northern Ireland youth international Ross McCausland.
Kane Ritchie-Hosler almost doubled the advantage soon after but then things began to go downhill.
The mid-table hosts steadied themselves after their early setback and drew the scores level in the 15th minute through Zander Murray.
They then completed the turnaround in the 33rd minute through a Ciaran Chalmers header.
Rangers regrouped at half-time and started the second period with intent as McCann, McClelland and Weston all had efforts at goal.
However, the equaliser wouldn’t come and Rovers actually came close to adding to their advantage, hitting the post with ten minutes remaining.
The defeat is just the second the B team have suffered in eleven league matches this season but the sparkling form of Weston is a positive.
The 18-year-old came to the club with a big reputation and his current form will surely be impressing the first-team coaching staff.
Meanwhile, a ‘top talent’ sold by Rangers in the summer has made a ‘nightmare’ start at his new club.