Rangers have needed to rebuild from the ground up for some time with progress finally being made off the pitch.
One aspect that has been neglected is the Rangers academy and, in particular, the players between the ages of 18-21.
In January, Nils Koppen set to work implementing a new strategy that involved Rangers youngsters heading out on loan and there has been a meeting of B team colleagues in the Championship.
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Leon King makes first start for Queen’s Park on loan from Rangers
Despite being 21-years old and having made his debut at 16, Leon King has only just made his first loan move to Queen’s Park.
After a making his debut off the bench, King was given his first start against Ayr United at Hampden Park.
Callum Davidson intends to use King in midfield, however, he lined up on the right of a back three with Auchenhowie buddy Adam Devine outside him at right wing-back.
On the opposite side of the pitch was Cole McKinnon in Ayr’s engine room, three players who have grown up together going toe-to-toe.
Queen’s went into a two-goal second-half lead, however, after King went off at 2-1, things went rapidly downhill and Ayr emerged as 3-2 victors.
Seeing SPFL teams loaded with former Rangers academy products isn’t anything new and the players who were on display are playing for their futures.
If academy prospects haven’t cemented their place in the first-team squad by 21, they should be moved on.
Will any of the loan Rangers be back next season?
For McKinnon and Devine, it looks like their futures are probably elsewhere given their age and lack of impact on the first team at Rangers.
Kieran Wright is another, with Mason Munn, who made his debut earlier this season, leap frogging him in the pecking order, at 25 he really needs to be getting out and playing games regularly, rather than being content with his position as Rangers fourth choice keeper.
He’ll not want to see Falkirk’s third goal against Airdrie back again though after being beaten so easily in the air.
One who has done his chances no harm of more minutes when he returns to Rangers is Robbie Fraser, who is showing up well at left-back and at left-wing for Livingston.
Not every player will become a regular in the first team, however, playing competitive games has to be the way forward to benefit both Rangers, and the individuals out on loan.
