Rangers have struggled in recent years to consistently produce their own players capable of making a real impact in the first team.
There have been plenty of talented youngsters from the academy who have been able to bolster the squad and help to provide cover, however, the next Nathan Patterson seems to be a few years away.
One area where Rangers are strong though, is goalkeeper and, technically, outside of Jack Butland, all of the other players came through Auchenhowie with one future star getting another shot at senior football.
Jay Hogarth takes step up with confirmed Rangers exit
Two seasons ago, Jay Hogarth broke records at Alloa Athletic.
He impressed enough to get a chance with Dumbarton who he then helped to gain promotion.
Next season, like Robby McCrorie before him, Scotland Under-21 international Hogarth is heading to Dumfries.
Queen of the South gave McCrorie a chance in the Championship and his performances were so impressive that Livingston stepped in.
Rangers cancelled the remaining loan period so that McCrorie could play in the Premiership but relationships clearly haven’t soured.
Speaking to the club’s media team, Doonhamers manager Peter Murphy, is glad to get Hogarth on board:
“Jay is a young keeper but has plenty of experience under his belt. He has produced some terrific performances the past few seasons and has impressed at clubs he has been at.
“With Charlie (Cowie) still continuing his rehabilitation we needed to bring in another keeper. With Ross (Stewart), Charlie and now Jay in the squad, we will have some healthy competition for a key position”.
Hogarth’s future is bright as keeper follows McCrorie path
Philippe Clement brought Liam Kelly back to Rangers which suggests that McCrorie is going to be allowed to leave on a permanent basis in the search of regular football.
Mason Munn has put pen to paper on a long-term deal too and it looks like the Northern Ireland youth international and Hogarth are going to be the future of the position.
With Kieran Wright as back up, Munn should, like Hogarth over the last two seasons, be allowed to leave on loan to see how he copes with senior football.
Standing over 6ft 4 inches tall and with an athletic frame already, the teenager won’t have any problem in terms of physicality.
They might ‘only’ be goalkeepers, but having home grown players who can contribute in the first team or at least be in match day squads, is hugely important – especially for European football.
