One of the advantages that Scottish football has had over English for a while now is that we have been able to sign up our best young talent on to professional contracts at the age of 16, a year earlier than across the Border. Historically, this has helped to make sure youngsters aren’t poached at an early age and lured by the bright lights of the Premier League.
Since Brexit though, things have changed, and English clubs are now look north earlier than before and persuading players to leave Scotland with the offer of professional terms when they are old enough – quite how this loophole hasn’t been closed yet is beyond me.
It happened with Billy Gilmour and we have seen Rory Wilson and Dire Mebude also move to Aston Villa and Manchester City respectively. It’s a cheap punt knowing that the players will be classed as homegrown if they eventually make it to the first team, despite being Scottish.
Leon King and Alex Lowry have both committed to Rangers and, hopefully, Jack Wylie will be next when he turns 16 with the Gers academy defender attracting similar attention to that of his older Auchenhowie graduates, as reported by Peter O’Rourke at Football Insider:
“Tottenham and Newcastle United have joined the chase for Rangers teen sensation Jack Wylie, sources have told Football Insider.
“The defender, 15, is in demand from the Premier League big guns after scouts delivered rave reviews on his performances for the Glasgow giants’ youth sides and also for Scotland Under-16s.
“Man United, Arsenal and Leeds United have all registered their interest in Wylie ahead of the January transfer window.”
All Rangers can do is keep showing players like Wylie that there is a pathway for them to the first team, follow the steps made by Nathan Patterson, Leon King, Alex Lowry, Charlie McCann and now Adam Devine and you will get your chance. There is no way we can compete when it comes to wages with reports of five figure weekly salaries on offer for teenagers.
Hopefully Wylie avoids the temptation to line his pocket before his career has even got off the ground.