As up to three first-team stars face injury [Sunday Post] ahead of Rangers’ Europa League visit of Leverkusen, should Steven Gerrard follow the lead one of one his contemporaries down South?
The Ibrox gaffer has routinely spoken about pathways to the first team for the club’s young players but fans have been left frustrated on more than one occasion when he fails to play them.
Frank Lampard is proving with Chelsea – and 18-year-old Billy Gilmour in particular – that if you trust these guys when the opportunity presents itself, you get big rewards.
Teenager Gilmour is a product of the Rangers youth academy and moved down south to Chelsea for better opportunities in a bigger league back in 2017.
So far it has proven to be 100% the right move as he has now broken through into the Chelsea side, earning man of the match awards for his performances against Champions elect Liverpool and Merseyside rivals Everton.
Gilmour has been trusted due to injuries to the likes of Jorginho and N’golo Kante and Chelsea are reaping the benefits.
Given our recent track record for introducing young players, it is hard to imagine he’d have been given the same freedom at Ibrox.
We’re continuously told that the likes of Nathan Patterson are ready for first-team yet when the chance is there to play them, we fail to do so.
With James Tavernier a major doubt for the Leverkusen match and for Celtic at the weekend, do we put our trust in one of the club’s youngest talents or take the “safe” option in Matt Polster?
For other talented players like Leon King – a player whom Rangers beat off Chelsea, Liverpool and RB Leipzig to sign – it must be disheartening to see opportunities handed to squad players instead.
The is doubly recognisable when the team is not playing well and we require a fresh injection of effort and talent.
Our young players need more opportunities if they’re to reach the heights we’re constantly reminded that they can.
More than that, we’re going to need to use them or risk losing future young talent because opportunities are notoriously limited at Ibrox.
When was the last time one of our own broke through and made a lasting impression in Govan?
When was the last time we offered them the opportunity?
