Rangers had to almost entirely rebuild their Under-18 squad in the summer in what was a ruthless overhaul, only a handful of the age group being signed to professional terms whilst others from around Scotland and further afield were persuaded to follow the pathway set by Nathan Patterson.
In recent years we have seen an adaptation of our recruitment policy and, as perfectly demonstrated by Calvin Bassey, there are bargains to be had with out-of-contract Premier League youngsters. Charlie McCann and Zak Lovelace the other high-profile additions from down south, both of whom have played for the first team already.
Writing for The Athletic on the news that Leon King is set to extend his deal, Jordan Campbell has revealed that there could soon be another youngster making the journey up the M6:
“There is also interest in Alex Kpakpe, the 18-year-old defender who left Chelsea last month after a several years disrupted due to injury and illness. He has played in a bounce game already and could join as an academy signing.
“Sales pitches to a young player used to contain an air of expectancy after a quick tour of the premises but Rangers realise in the modern game they are required to not just tell but show there is a clear plan and path to the first team.”
Kpakpe is left-footed and predominantly a left-back but is also capable of playing as a left-sided centre-half. This sort of versatility gave Bassey his chance and saw him make such a big impact in his second season. Giovanni van Bronckhorst may have got a lot of things wrong, but how he used the Nigerian international couldn’t be faulted.
What is often forgotten is that it doesn’t matter where the players come from, if they are trained with the club for three years between the ages of 16 and 21, then they are classed as homegrown. It is a strategy that every big club utilises and we should be no different, hopefully, Kpakpe can one day, have the same impact as Bassey and make us just as much money in the process.