Young Rangers goalkeeper Jay Hogarth took part in Rangers training on Wednesday, ahead of the Europa League clash against Borussia Dortmund.
The Gers are taking on the Black and Yellows at Signal Iduna Park in a 5.45pm kick-off on Thursday evening in the first leg of a knockout round playoff tie.
Gio van Bronckhorst will be fielding his strongest possible side as he looks to keep the tie alive for the second leg at Ibrox next week.
However, large matchday squads for UEFA competitions offer managers a chance to involve emerging talents.
For example, prior to his permanent first-team promotion, Leon King made the bench for Gio’s first match in charge against Sparta Prague back in November.
Judging by a training gallery released by the club after Wednesday’s final session, Alex Lowry and Charlie McCann have rejoined the B-team group after appearing at Annan in the Scottish Cup at the weekend.
Hogarth spotted in Rangers’ pre-Dortmund training
However, Jay Hogarth did take part in the session.
The 18-year-old keeper has been a regular in the Lowland League this season, and he also started all five of the Young Gers’ UEFA Youth League fixtures.
He was partially at fault for Atletico Madrid’s winner in their own knockout round playoff last week but conditions were difficult at Dumbarton on the day and he’s generally been very good this season, regularly displaying impressive shot-stopping ability.
David McCallum revealed back in October that the teenager had missed a Lowland League fixture at the first-team’s request as he had briefly been training with them.
And he made the bench for European fixtures earlier in the season against Malmo (both legs) and Alashkert.
Jon McLaughlin didn’t feature in the training gallery or the travel snaps shared by the club, so it’s possible that Hogarth has travelled to Germany as backup to Allan McGregor and Robby McCrorie.
Meanwhile, a Rangers star has signed a sponsorship deal with a major global brand.
