Academy Information
Thu, Mar 12, 2009
RANGERS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
RANGERS is committed to developing the best young talent in the country and beyond and operates a unique youth development model which protects and nurtures the football stars of tomorrow.
A separate youth development company was created by the club in 2004 and that unit set about expanding the club's youth scouting network, both in Scotland and across Europe, bringing promising young talent from all over the world to Glasgow.
Rangers Youth Development's ambitious business plan ultimately aims to see a high percentage of the Rangers first team coming from youth development in the long-term and with one of the most experienced talent finders in the UK at the helm, the programme is already reaping benefits.
Academy graduate Alan Hutton was sold to Tottenham for a fee in the region of £9 million in January 2008 and there are others, including keeper Allan McGregor, who have also made the breakthrough.
Murray Park provides world-class facilities and with Rangers top coaches working on every aspect of the game the club has created the perfect environment for creating the stars of the future.
The youth academy team ensures that best practice is delivered in areas such as technical development, game awareness development, tactical development and physical development through a comprehensive sports science programme designed to meet the needs of each individual player.
Indeed, the Rangers Youth Department continues to go from strength with a batch of talented youngsters continuing to knock on the door of the first team squad.
KEY STAFF
RANGERS appointed Jim Sinclair as Youth Academy Director at Murray Park in August 2006.
Previously a highly acclaimed Director of Football Development at the Scottish Football Association, he was responsible for developing all aspects of football in Scotland including UEFA licence qualifications.
Jim is now in charge of all youth coaching, recruitment, scouting and management outwith the first-team at the club.
Sinclair works alongside a team which includes Tommy Wilson as Academy Technical Manager and Reserve Team Coach, Craig Mulholland in the role of Academy Operations Manager, Billy Kirkwood as Under-19s Coach, Jamie Ramsden as Academy Sports Scientist and Billy McLaren and Billy Marshall as full-time Academy scouts.
