Rangers are expanding their ‘world-class’ partnership with Orange County with an exciting week-long camp set to take place in California next month [Rangers.co.uk].
The Gers announced a partnership with the USL Championship club in December 2019.
Since then, several young Rangers prospects have headed to the States to gain experience – with Rhys Breen and Jack Thomson there now – while USA youth international Aaron Cervantes is now in Glasgow.
The partnership is about more than just player exchanges, though, and although the pandemic has restricted the possibilities for collaboration on other projects, things are stepping up a notch this summer.
A youth clinic is set to be held in Irvine in July as part of ‘an expanded range of partnership activities’.
Gers and OCSC staff have worked together to design a curriculum and top performers from the camp will be provided with a scouting report by Rangers staff.
“Our relationship with Rangers, but also the whole ethos of our club, is about creating a winning culture and a pathway to pro,” said County’s President of Soccer Operations, Oliver Wyss [Rangers.co.uk].
“And the launch of this camp, where talented young boys and girls from across Southern California have a chance to put themselves in front of staff from a top European club, is the embodiment of that.
“Nothing sends a stronger message about the opportunities we are creating than knowing that a top male and female prospect will be invited to Ibrox to train.”
Rangers’ Head of Soccer Academies and International Relations, Gary Gibson, added: “This is a fantastic next step for the partnership and I’m delighted to launch this camp, which is set to be a memorable experience for all young players.”
A separate Elite ID Camp will take place the day after the main camp finishes in order to help both clubs identify future talent.
This is an exciting move as the Gers step things up with one of their three partner clubs.
The USA is still an emerging football nation but the relative strength of their current senior team is proof that there’s plenty of talent there and Rangers clearly hope to tap into that.
OCSC will definitely benefit from the expertise of the Rangers staff but perhaps next month, a future Ibrox first-team star will also be unearthed.
In other news, two English clubs are reportedly chasing an in-form 6ft 4″ midfielder who struggled during his time with the Gers.
