Gers striker deal a sign of things to come

If our lack of signings following our qualification for the Champions League is a sore point among Rangers fans, the quality of academy players coming through from Auchenhowie is providing a spot of light at the end of a tunnel that is as dark as it has been for some time.

Alex Lowry probably would have been seen more often but for injury and Leon King has already made a few appearances, continuing to look every inch the future of our defence, Charlie McCann hasn’t had quite as many minutes but continuous to show a gallus streak that is sometimes missing from our midfield.

One other player who only just made his debut this season – scoring in the process – is Robbie Ure and Football Insider has claimed that the 18-year old is set to be offered a new contract, his current deal ends in 2023.

Ure, if you’ve not seen much of him, is very much in a similar mould to Antonio Colak in that he can lead the line on his own but does his best work in and around the penalty area, capable of scoring with either foot and his head.

What Ure’s potential contract extension and debut goal points to, yet again, is the clear pathway for B team and academy players. If they play well, they will get their chance in the first-team squad, it’s then down to them to seize the opportunity with both hands.

Whether we like it or not, part of the academy’s job is to provide players that can be sold further down the line and, if Ure continues his current progress, we will do well to keep him tied to the club.