There is a lot of talk about the shortage of Rangers players in the first-team who have come up through the academy.
Philippe Clement has players like Ross McCausland, Leon King and Cole McKinnon in and around the squad, but Auchenhowie needs to start producing more like Nathan Patterson.
After emerging victorious in the Scottish Youth Cup final, Rangers fans were able to catch a glimpse of three players who could be the next to breakthrough from the academy.
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Can Hampden heroes be next Rangers academy graduates?
Paul Nsio shouldn’t be a stranger to Rangers fans.
He has been seen, fleetingly, in the senior side before and has a style of play that makes him an exciting prospect.
As a box-to-box midfielder, Nsio was one of the standouts at Hampden and was determined to make up for missing out last season, as reported by the club’s website:
“I think myself, Archie [Stevens], Leyton [Grant], Findlay [Curtis] and Mason [Munn], who were all involved last year, gave absolutely everything because of what happened last year.
“It’s our last year as Under-18 players, so we just wanted to end it on a high note.
“I was devastated last year that we lost, crying, but this year I’m just happy. I can’t explain how happy that I am.
“We’ve worked hard since the first round, getting past St. Andrews United, Fraserburgh, Hearts and Dundee United. They haven’t been easy games and we’ve really had to pull through.
“It’s the best feeling ever to win it here at Hampden.”
Nsio names Archie Stevens as another player who will be moving up.
As an England age group regular, he has played in major tournaments and is one of the highest rated individuals at the club.
It’s little wonder Premier League clubs have already been linked with a move for the skillful forward.
Watching from the stands, Philippe Clement must have been impressed with what he saw as the 18-year old tormented the Aberdeen defence, time, after time.
The other player who stood out was keeper Mason Munn.
Already 6ft 4inches tall, the Northern Ireland youth international was an imposing presence in the Rangers goal and deserved to be on the winning side.
He made a series of stunning saves at key moments in the game that ensured the trophy was heading back to Ibrox.
Alongside Jay Hogarth, who is currently on loan at Dumbarton, the future of the number one jersey looks in safe hands.
What’s next for the Hampden three?
Players develop at different rates and sometimes, it isn’t the most talented that make it, but the most determined that make it.
Munn, Stevens and Nsio will now be looking to get senior experience next season having proven that they are standouts at age group level.
Nathan Patterson was always a good, young player, but he was never the standout in his age group, so this three have no excuse not to progress if they work hard enough.
Maybe one of the other players who went under the radar at the national stadium could be the next big thing at Rangers instead of the three who led the way.
