Last Friday, Rangers confirmed a new contract extension for Ben Williamson as well as a fresh loan for the midfielder who will spend all of the new season on loan at Dundee.
The move comes as the next step in the development of the 20-year old who gained Premiership experience in the last campaign at Livingston before a spell after the turn of the year at Raith Rovers, where he saw out the season.
Rangers Head of Academy Craig Mulholland commented:
“Ben has had two successful loans so far as he continues his development and we know he will tackle this next challenge head on.”
“As we have often said each player is on a different and very individual journey and so far Ben’s has continued in a positive upward trajectory.”
Playing at Dundee under Gary Bowyer should be good for Williamson. He will have relative pressure at a club looking to bounce back from their relegation to the Scottish second tier but what next for the player, how far can he go?
The objective of breaking into the midfield at Ibrox is a formidable one, that not many youth players succeed in. Look at the current case of Stephen Kelly for example, when he has previously impressed at Ross County in the Premiership and had another productive loan at Salford City last season. He is now back on the fringes of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s squad, expected to move on before the start of the season.
It could be that a similar path awaits Williamson, or he could yet develop in full – later than most – in order to be able to make an impact in the first team. As a comparison, although not a direct one, Charlie McCann is currently impressing and will need to make the most of any chances that are presented, just like he did on Saturday with his goal in Blackpool. That will be an interesting one to watch with some opportunities likely over the course of Rangers long season.
In the here and now, Williamson made his Dundee debut in the League Cup, a 0-3 win over Stranraer at the weekend.
Manager Bowyer was very pleased with his recent acquisition:
“I’m delighted with him, he’s a good player. I’ve been pushing for him and he’ll be better for the time on the pitch.”
“That’s his first football this summer but I was very impressed with what I saw. There is a load there to build on.”