David McCallum and Cameron Campbell RYDC Q&A Highlights

Sporting Director Ross Wilson confirmed the Academy restructure a short time ago and David now has responsibility across the U16-U18 groups as head of the Professional Development Phase.

Cameron is a new face in the coaching ranks and will join from the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana. Previously he enjoyed a dual role across Right to Dream and FC Norsjaelland in Denmark and is looking forward to his new role at Rangers.

Here are the highlights of their Q&A:

Q – Gary Valentine – What advice would you give to grassroot coaches starting out with ambitions to eventually make a living within this area?

DM – Be open minded and show a willingness to learn. Having a plan is worthwhile but be adaptable as the journey can be varied to get to where you want to be. Be brave to go out your comfort zone whether that be within Coach Education, working at different stages of player development or even in a different environment or country.

CC – Graft! Get out on the pitch as much as possible trying to work with different ages & stages in changing environments. Surround yourself with people who are better than you in different ways, who will challenge you, never turn down or miss an opportunity to learn. I find that opportunities are the result of consistent hard work and effort.

Q – Tom - Hi guys. Wishing you both success in your new positions. What inspired you both to get into coaching at such an early age & from your playing days who were the coaches you enjoyed working under and why? Cheers

DM - My playing journey ended due to injury at 24 years old at Queen’s Park but had excellent people around me at that time that guided me into coaching. Football was always my passion and supporting players on their journey was a natural step for me into what has become a career. Alex McLeish was my 1st manager at Motherwell and he had the ability to make you believe in yourself as a young player. Billy Stark was my manager at Queen’s Park and he also had excellent people skills, remained calm in challenging situations whilst providing detail to his players.

CC - Thanks Tom, looking forward to getting started! Always loved the tactical (thinking) aspect of football when playing and as a limited player technically I needed to think a lot! Then when I discovered the joy of developing young people, helping them improve & develop, coaching become the perfect fit. 100% the coaches that challenged me on and off the pitch and were invested in developing me not only as a player but as a person.

Q – Jamie - Hello David, what has been the biggest challenge in lockdown and how encouraged have you been with the young players attitude to the situation?

DM - At the beginning, it was new to everyone and great credit to all the Academy Staff in developing a programme that has kept the players both motivated and challenged. Every person is different in the way that they listen, learn and react to how we teach so we have had to adapt to individual situations when required. Working with the players using technology has presented more challenges for the staff than the players at times but it has been a great addition and one that we will continue to use moving forward. The players have been excellent and the feedback from the parents has reassured everyone that the programme has been invaluable in maintaining their focus during these strange times. Our players, parents and staff also have had the support of our ‘Player Care Team’ who all have different skillsets to use during any challenging times.

Q – Jamie - Also what can Rangers do to stop our best youngsters being picked up by clubs in bigger leagues, such as Chelsea? Cheers

DM - We will always strive to develop players that have the ability to excel in Domestic, European and International levels. This will naturally bring interest. The ‘Best v Best’ Programme has helped push these players to higher levels and I know we have looked at the possibility of Colt Teams in the Lower Divisions to accelerate their readiness for our 1st team. Watching the 1st team v Lyon the other night and the fact that we finish the game with Ross McCrorie, Nathan Patterson and Lewis Mayo on the pitch is great for the Academy players. Those with belief in their ability and ambition will hopefully look at that and push to these levels.

Q – Jamie - Hello Cameron, congratulations on your new role. What are you most looking forward to doing in the new job?

CC – Hi Jamie, thanks for the support! Working with the talent within one of the biggest clubs in the world both on & off the pitch, both players & staff alike. Hopefully I can help develop the next generation of Rangers 1st team players while also developing myself as a coach.

Q - Can you give us some insight into your experience in Africa? Both in terms of your professional and personal development? Cheers

CC – Working in Africa was an amazing experience! On the pitch it challenged me as a coach developing some of the best players around the world & competing at international tournaments, while off the pitch I was able to experience a completely different way of life which has broadened my thinking and definitely altered my perception in different ways.

Q – Colin - David: Which part of your role do you enjoy most e.g. on the training ground? Mentoring? Watching players grow etc?

DM – I like the fact that my role provides variation. However, it is difficult to beat helping players develop and grow whether that be on the training pitch, providing feedback on games or training and planning their individual targets.

Q – Colin – Cameron: How did your move come about & what are you most looking forward to?

CC – I’ve always had a good professional relationship with @MichaelBeale who has been a mentor to myself & thankfully, Rangers as a club identified me as a coach who could add value to the amazing staff that already exists at the club. Again, working with the level of talent on and off the pitch! I believe development works best when you surround yourself with driven, innovative & talented people which Rangers has in abundance.

Q – Donald Watson - Who is going be the next big talent from the youths too come through?

DM - I hope you would understand that it would be unfair of me to single out individuals at this stage. In recent years we have seen a few players get to the levels that the 1st team require. Our job is to keep pushing those levels with this U18 group.

CC – Unfortunately Donald, I am yet to personally work with any of the boys on the pitch so can’t comment, however having been analysing the squad the past few weeks I can assure you there is a lot of exciting talent within the academy that I can’t wait to work with.

Q – Del Boy - How do they class a success from the academy? I heard they class a success if a boy leaves RFC and still goes to play in the second division etc - is this the case?

CC – Personally, I class success as ensuring each player achieves their individual potential! Reality of football especially at a club like Rangers where the quality is so high, not everyone will be able to break into the 1st team. Due to the stature & attraction of the club, our players not only compete for a 1st team shirt with the best talent in Scotland but from around the world & therefore some players will end up playing for different clubs in different leagues which is still success.

Q – David Lees - Do you get disappointed when we produce quality young players and they leave before they progress to our first team?

DM – We always want to see our best talent get to our 1st team. However, different circumstances may prevent this.

CC – As a coach there is not many better feelings than watching a player progress from the academy to making their debut & even better, impacting for the 1st team. However, coaching is about pushing players to achieving their highest potential & sometimes that means they need to leave to progress in different leagues.

Q – Topsy Turvy - Based on the very large size of your U18 squad this year, approaching 30 I believe, how do you plan to provide adequate game time to allow the boys development to continue in these vital years?

DM - We don’t have 30 U18 players. In recent seasons we have challenged many players above that of their actual age group and this will continue. We have plans for as many as 7 players, still aged for U18s to be part of the B Team squad and to run with a squad of 17 players for the U18s. The 18s squad will consist of approx. 70% U17 players which will support our player challenge outlook.

CC - While many players are eligible to play for the U18’s this year, due to the nature of football some will find themselves with the B team & hopefully the 1st team. You can never have too many good players as this breeds competition & competitiveness in training & for match time which increases development & a vital part of their learning experience.

Q – Topsy Turvy - For Cameron - What new qualities will you bring, to enhance the current Academy with regards to coaching techniques and player development?

CC - I feel I look at football and developing players slightly differently through my experiences and integration of data during the coaching process. Working with some of the best talent in Europe & Africa has positively challenged & educated me in different coaching techniques, development needs & contrasting styles of play; Ghana and Ivory Coast - 1v1, Denmark - Tactical and Scotland - Technique and Physicality.

Q – Topsy Turvy - With regards to any Academy player pathway to the 1st team, above natural talent what are the main qualities the 1st team staff look for and how do you deliver and develop these requirements to the Academy players?

DM - Relentless is a word that the manager has used many times. When a young player trains with the 1st team, his challenge is to impact the session, creating an impression that sticks not only with the staff but also the players. Having that drive but also remaining humble is also important. These messages have been relayed by the 1st team to the Academy players and our job is to create an environment that challenges and supports this during pitch and classroom sessions using relevant staff members i.e. coaches, Mental Skills coach etc

CC - A relentless desire to work every single day to improve, ultimately it’s the individual themselves that are the only one that can make it happen! Coaches are here to guide, stretch & support players to develop all vital aspects; technique, game intelligence, mentality in engaging ways during training & matches.

Q – Topsy Turvy - Do any regular 1st team squad players get involved with training or mentoring any of the U18 squad? I know this is common practice in many countries but not so far in Scotland, what are your thoughts?

DM - I believe this is beneficial for helping young players on their journey. We have had players in recent seasons make themselves available to the younger players and provide support including Jermaine Defoe, Andy Halliday, Scott Arfield and Kenny Miller. The 1st team schedule can be extremely busy so most mentoring would be off the training pitch.

Q – Graeme McGraw - What will you miss most about your old job @c_campbell18 and will you keep an eye on #RightToDream for any potential signings for Rangers in the future?

CC – 100% the players Graeme! Aside from the talent these kids have they are also amazing kids whose stories & personalities helped make my experience & memories what they are during my time at @right2dream & @FCNordsjaelland. I follow the career of every player I work with & it would be great to have the opportunity to work with them in the future if circumstances allow.

Q - To both, when do you know a player is ready for the 1st team and what’s the perfect game for it?

DM - I think that answer will vary from player to player. We can see with some players that they have gone beyond the level of a Youth or B Team player but the step to our 1st team can be greater which is why the club are looking for the best way to bridge that step. Ultimately the 1st team staff will play him when they have seen him within their group and believe he is ready.

CC - There’s no perfect game to make your debut as each one contains its own form of individual pressure, while a mix of ability & mentality determines when a player is ready to make their debut, they need to earn the trust of the staff & players before they step onto the pitch representing Rangers.

Q – Graham McGraw - Non Rangers related Q for Cameron. Mohammed Kudos signed for Ajax. Did you work with him at any point during your old dual role with Right To Dream & fc Nordsjælland and do you think he will be a success?

CC - Unfortunately, @KudusMohammedGH graduated to FCN 1st team before I joined the club so I never got to work with him on the pitch but he is a great kid! Excited to watch him play at @AFCAjax & see how far his talent takes him as he’s a special player.

RYDC will have further Q&As with key Academy staff in the weeks ahead.

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