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Ure on the double, the future’s bright for Robbie

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Image for Ure on the double, the future’s bright for Robbie

It’s been a long time since Rangers had a striker come through the youth ranks and make a genuine impact on the first team and anyone who says Andy Little is too young to remember Robert Fleck.

When Fleck emerged in the mid-80s, he had the luxury of being able to partner Ally McCoist up front, that he is the last academy striker to make it all the way through to the senior squad and hold down a place shows how hard it is but also that good strikers don’t grow on trees.

The pressure is bigger than it has ever been. Young players are judged instantly, not after a season, not after 10-20 games, but after one game.

We are always told that the Rangers shirt won’t shrink to fit so anyone who lines up – regardless of age – has to be big enough to cope with the pressure and one Auchenhowie youngster who is certainly big enough in stature is Robbie Ure.

The 18-year old has been in fine form for the B team in the Lowland League with seven goals and three assists in 13 games so far added to his three goals and two assists in the UEFA Youth League where the young Gers faced the same opposition as the senior team, faring considerably better in the process.

Ure has carried his fine club form into the international scene this weekend and, remarkably, making just his fourth appearance for Scotland Under-19s, the 6ft plus striker capped a fine display against Kazakhstan with two goals including one created by club teammate Jack Harkness.

Ure scored on his first start for Rangers this season in the league cup and has made another appearance off the bench and has all the attributes needed to become a top striker, He can finish with both feet, is good in the air, can link play and works hard out of possession.

At just 18, he also has plenty of time on his side.

As with Leon King, I don’t think Ure should be sent out on loan. Playing in Scotland’s lower leagues for another team will do little other than get him used to watching the ball in the air. The Lowland League with the B team is more than enough preparation for the physicality he will need as he gets older and another season there will do him no harm at all.

His performances this season merit getting called up to the senior squad, he has put his foot through the door. It’s now up to him to knock it off its hinges.

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