As the front door at Rangers prepares to close for Kieran Dowell and Rabbi Matondo, it is ready to open for their would-be replacements.
Rangers are scything through their high-earning squad as they look to ship out underachievers and shake-off the dead weight holding back the club’s transfer ambitions.
Kieran Dowell has already left for Birmingham City with Rabbi Matondo increasingly expected to join the attacking midfielder south of the border.
But with attentions already turning to potential replacements, Rangers have identified four youngsters in the Ibrox academy who will be given the chance to snare a spot in the squad.
Rangers to give youth a chance at Ibrox
Both Nils Koppen and Philippe Clement have been clear that youth is the future at Ibrox as they look to give chances to young players who can bank big profits.
But it’s not just in scouring the globe for the next Hamza Igamane or Jefte that the Rangers hierarchy are concerned with the club’s academy going through a reshuffle.
Following Koppen’s promotion to technical director, Rangers have scrapped the club’s best-v-best B team programme and will instead focus on loan moves for their top talent.
But whilst several of Rangers’ youngest stars head out the door this January, spots have been reserved within the Rangers dressing room for the club’s brightest young players.
Academy quartet to be handed Rangers chance
In the centre of the park, the likes of Bailey Rice and Paul Nsio will be given the chance to impress following Kieran Dowell’s exit.
Rice impressed Rio Ferdinand with his performance in the second half at Old Trafford whilst Nsio came off the bench in the 3-1 win over Dundee United.
Both players are highly-rated within Auchenhowie and will get greater exposure to the first-team as the club emphasises youth players.
Rabbi Matondo’s exit is also set to free up space in the squad which could be occupied by another two youngsters making a big impression at Rangers.
Findlay Curtis has been on rampant form in the Ibrox youth set-up and also caught the eye during a substitute appearance against Man United.
Zak Lovelace is also back fully fit and climbed off the bench to assist Cyriel Dessers in the weekend’s victory over Dundee United.
All four players will directly benefit from the exits of Dowell and Matondo and Rangers will be hoping they seize their opportunities this season.
