Rangers have progressed to the semi-finals of the Alkass International Cup which features European heavyweights like Paris Saint Germain and Real Madrid.
The class of 2025 is led by Kyle Glasgow who has already impressed with a screamer that secured second place in the group phase.
The Rangers academy has come under fire in recent seasons, and no wonder, when you look at the 2019 squad that won the Alkass International Cup and where they are now.
Where are they now? The 2019 Alkass International Cup winners
A lot of the names will be familiar with most of the group now around 22-years old, what is a surprise, is how many of them are still at Rangers without making any sort of impact.
Lewis Budinauckas
Spent a short spell in 2024 on loan at Stranraer but is now resigned to being fourth choice and little more than a spare pair of hands for training and for helping outfield players warm up.
Has been passed by Mason Munn, who signed a long-term deal, in terms of the goalkeeping order of merit and is out of contract this summer.
Was the hero in the penalty shoot-out in 2019 against Roma.
Harris O’Connor
After a couple of short-term contracts, he has taken an unusual route by moving to the USA on a scholarship where he plays for Missouri State University.
Matthew Henderson
Like O’Connor, the left-back also moved to the States to study and play with Penn State University to kick-start his football career.
Kyle McClellan
Moved to Hibs after leaving Rangers, McClellan is currently at Coleraine on loan and has a decision to make in the summer with his contract expiring at Easter Road.
Players like Ryan Muir, Matty Yates, Murray Miller and Arron Lyall all left Rangers in similar circumstances and are currently at various levels of the SPFL, out of the four, Yates is doing well at Stenhousemuir and won’t be short of offers in the summer.
Chris McKee
Arrived from Linfield having already played for the first-team and currently has six goals and three assists in 21 appearances this season at his former club where he is joined by Auchenhowie teammate Charlie Allen.
Out of the group, these are the players who were expected to push on and become regular first-team players.
Kai Kennedy
Rangers reportedly rejected a £1m bid from West Ham United for the diminutive playmaker, however, things haven’t quite gone to plan for the 2019 player of the tournament.
In his own words, Kennedy has admitted that his mentality and approach to the game hasn’t been good enough but is now rebuilding his career at Queen of the South, hoping to earn a new deal.
Scored the winning penalty to secure the trophy in 2019.
Nathan Young-Coombes
Seemed to save his best for the big occasions at age group and B team level with a series of Old Firm and cup final goals.
The versatile forward never made his senior debut, however, he made a Premier League appearance for Brentford after scoring over 30 goals for their B team.
Sadly, and incredibly, despite having a clean bill of health, Young-Coombes is currently without a team and has been since the summer of 2024.
Cole McKinnon
Currently on loan at Ayr United, Rangers manager Philippe Clement appears to be a fan of his hard work, honesty and attitude.
Struggled to find regular time in the first-team and now sees Connor Barron and Bailey Rice ahead of him with Lyall Cameron also arriving in the summer.
Adam Devine
Looked at one point to be capable of stepping up and being a backup for both left and right-back having done well when there was an injury crisis.
Has since been out on loan at Motherwell and is now at Queen’s Park, his future might not be at Rangers, but he will have a more than respectable SPFL career given his work rate and athleticism.
Leon King
Few players have been in as many first-team squads since 2021 and yet it feels like the utility defender and defensive midfielder has wasted the last 4-5 years of his career by not leaving Ibrox on loan after making his debut at 16.
There’s an argument that he has been let down by the Rangers hierarchy and the approach to youth development with the UEFA quotas playing an obvious role in him not being allowed to leave.
Still only 21, King really needs a consistent run of games next season.
Ross McCausland
Compared to Kennedy, Lyall, Young-Coombes and Alex Lowry, Ross McCausland was never the most talked about attacker in this age group.
He’s now played 63 games for Rangers and continues to be trusted by Clement due to his ability to follow instructions and work rate.
Needs to improve his end product if he is to stay at Rangers beyond his current long-term deal.
Alex Lowry
The jewel in the academy crown for several years only for injury and personal trauma to derail his progress after impressing under Giovanni van Bronckhorst and looking like he was going to be a regular in the first-team.
Already compared to Luka Modric at Wycombe Wanderers where he moved in January and he will be hoping that a reset can see him fulfil his obvious potential.
