Rangers are looking to bridge the gap between the academy and the first-team so that more talented youth players don’t slip through the net or fail to fulfil their potential.
The gold standard is former record transfer sale Nathan Patterson, however, developing players who come through Auchenhowie to play 50-100 games is the ultimate aim.
Not only does this save money, but it generates money too as seen by Robbie Ure’s move to Sweden after impressing for Anderlecht – not every player has to be a world beater.
The next generation have been on show in a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, but who stood out for the Rangers academy players looking to impress Barry Ferguson.
Ferguson would have been keen to see how the first teamers in Rangers’ starting XI faired against a strong Premier League academy side with minutes needed across the board.
Three things that were noticed from Rangers academy win
In an end to end encounter with the youngest player being only 16, there was a lot going on in what was an entertaining game for those who ventured to the training ground.
Oscar Cortes starts
The obvious question is – how did Oscar Cortes perform?
Cortes was signed for £4m from Lens but has yet to show what he is really capable of other than a few glimpses before suffering a serious injury last February.
Making his first start for several weeks, Cortes looked composed in possession and has clearly spent his time on the sidelines in the gym having gained a pound or two of muscle.
His main involvements were a couple of neat passes that could have led to goals, but will have been disappointed not to score when put clean through on goal, seeing his effort roll narrowly past the post.
A new centre-half pairing of Clinton Nsiala and Rafael Fernandes
The centre-half pairing of Rafael Fernandes and Clinton Nsiala was a new one with goalkeeper Rydnn Maguire complimentary of the pair.
That neither of the duo speak particularly good English made for an interesting 90 minutes for the young keeper, but a clean sheet was still secured.
Palace pressed high and fast and, after struggling initially, Fernandes and Nsiala settled in and restricted the visitors to long-range efforts.
It was good to see the pair getting minutes, however, it highlights again how short the academy is of centre-halves who might make the step up to the senior Rangers squad.
Bailey Rice the main man for Rangers once again
Barry Ferguson is a fan of Bailey Rice, as a former midfield prodigy himself, he knows exactly how talented the teenager is.
Everything good went through Rice as the playmaker showed off his full repertoire of passing as well as testing the Palace keeper with a fine shot from distance and a free-kick that was heading for the top corner from 25 yards.
It was also Rice who put Cortes in on goal.
The next step, has to be more minutes at senior level.
