At the same time as the Rangers first team are going through something of an evolution, the club’s academy is following suit.
The hierarchy of the club’s youth set-up has went through a number of evolutions in recent seasons after Craig Mullholland followed Ross Wilson to Nottingham Forest.
There was a feeling that the club’s youth department had failed to develop enough top talents under Mullholland’s watch anyway.
But also that too many players – see Kenny McLean and Lewis Ferguson – had been allowed to slip through the Ibrox net.
Next up was Zeb Jacobs, the talented young Belgian academy visionary who has since been poached by Feyenoord, with the department still without a head going into the new season.
Despite that, the club’s academy continues to press on with a number of transfer links into the team.
Rangers battle Arsenal for St Johnstone talent
Philippe Clement has been clear that there will be more opportunities for youth so long as he is manager.
As Rangers’ stuttering player trading model fails to get off the ground, the Belgian is clear that handing opportunities to young players is crucial to developing the club’s transfer infrastructure.
Ross McCausland has flourished under the ex-Club Brugge boss, whilst Robbie Fraser and Cole McKinnon have both been given opportunities.
With AC Milan talent Clinton Nsiala naming Clement as one of the main reasons why he joined Rangers, it’s clear youth has a big role to play in the future of the club.
Hot young Scotland/USA talent Alexander Smith has also been convinced to sign a three-year deal despite keen interest from the Premier League.
We can guarantee you this wouldn’t have been possible without a direct pathway to the Ibrox side’s first-team.
That’s a pathway which we’re not so sure would be available at the likes of Arsenal, who are set to battle with Rangers for another top Scottish youth prospect.
Rangers, Celtic and the Gunners all said to be tailing St Johnstone talent Callan Hamill.
According to the Athletic’s Jordan Campbell, Arsenal appear to have stolen a march on the Old Firm with the defender down at the north London club’s academy.
Ibrox-linked Academy chief issues ‘come and get me’ plea
Rangers have seen a number of their top talents move down south amid the lure of Premier League millions.
Billy Gilmour and Rory Wilson are the biggest examples, but there are others who’ve opted to remain in Glasgow.
Leon King is one such name, whilst Ross McCausland and Alex Lowry signed contracts at Ibrox amid substantial interest elsewhere.
Given Callan Hamill hasn’t come through at Rangers environment convincing the kid of a deal is a greater challenge but nonetheless, we’ll keep an eye on the situation.
As for what happens next in the Rangers academy, there’s plenty of speculation.
Former Right to Dream Academy coach and FC Nordsjaelland youth expert Gareth Henderby has been linked with the currently vacant Academy director role.
The Scottish coach has helped to nurture around £68m worth of talent from the west coast of Africa, including none other than Mohamed Diomande.
Having just left Denmark, the coach has also issued a ‘come and get me’ plea to the directorate at Ibrox.
Henderby took to X after leaving the gig, claimed he is ‘open to new opportunities’ after the Ibrox links first appeared.
It would suggest that reports of Rangers interest were a little premature but it’s certainly an interesting name with regards the position.
