On Tuesday evening, the Rangers senior management were very interested spectators, taking in the B Team clash against Ayr United in the SPFL Trust trophy.
Despite a 0-3 reverse on the night for David McCallum’s young Gers, the experience was an invaluable one and there were several encouraging performances from the ‘home’ side – with the Rangers side continuing to play at Dumbarton.
As pictured below, Steven Gerrard was joined by Gary McAllister and Ross Wilson to run the rule over the development team and the game that unfolded would have given him plenty to think about.
💙 Some special guests here to support the B Team tonight…#OneClub pic.twitter.com/iS8EwEl1ew
— Rangers B & Academy (@RFC_Youth) September 14, 2021
Throughout his time at Ibrox, Gerrard has involved young players in and around the first team squad – especially at training.
At the right times, young talent has been given a chance to impress and the likes of Nathan Patterson, Stephen Kelly and Robbie McCrorie are testament to that.
Now, with the absence of Fil Helander as a senior option in defence and the temporary departure of Cedric Itten, as well as the rigours of a full season with its requisite injuries and suspensions, there will be opportunities for youth players to impress.
Quite simply, once given the chance, it is up to them to prove they have what it takes to make the jump up to the first team squad.
Speaking after the defeat to Ayr United, B Team coach McCallum stated:
“It was a huge learning experience.”
“That is probably one of the toughest games that we have had this season and we will take the most out of it, playing against a quality Championship team who have shown us a lot of respect.”
“They made some changes at half-time in recognition of some of the play we had in the first half. It is certainly one of the games we will look at going forward and try to make sure we take as much out of it as we possibly can.”
Impressed
It was suggested that Gerrard and the management team approved of the play of the Rangers team, in the first half especially.
That is very encouraging for the young players as well as McCallum and Brian Gilmour who are entrusted with overseeing their development.
The likes of Leon King, Charlie McCann, Ross McCausland and their peers need to draw confidence from the path they are on and their progress.
A careful eye is trained upon them with the pathway to the first team pool open for the taking.