RANGERS qualified for the UEFA Youth League for the third successive season last weekend as they won the Club Academy Scotland under-18’s league.
The young Gers are now guaranteed European football next season either via the domestic champions path or the Champions League path.
They have already secured their place in the domestic champions path which is made up of the league winners from the 32 best-ranked associations in UEFA. The teams in this stage will then go on to compete in knock-out rounds before the two paths merge later in the competition.
However, should Steven Gerrard’s side qualify for the Champions League group stage, the Academy team will be entered into the Champions League path and go on to compete in a group with an identical fixture list to the senior competition.
Academy coach and Head of Senior Academy, David McCallum said: “We could go and replicate the programme that the first-team are on and that is undoubtedly the best scenario for us all.
“It would be excellent, we would be travelling like the first team do and learning from them which is ultimately where our players want to get to.
“That programme would ultimately be the best one to be in but we have got the back-up of the domestic pathway as well but fingers crossed we can go and enjoy that.”
Brian Gilmour added: “If we talk out with the pandemic the club have been really good at putting on a lot of tournament football across the age groups and I think that's the thing it is not a surprise when they come up and it is not a first-time thing.
“Some of these lads will play in the Youth League for the first time which is different but in terms of going and being exposed to European football and players on a world stage it is certainly beneficial in the long run.”
Watch a full interview with coaches David McCallum, Cameron Campbell and Brian Gilmour as they reflect on the league season HERE.