In the latest instalment of our Academy Monthly series, we reflect on last month through the age groups.
Our strong loan crop of players were at the forefront for their respective sides over the last month, with Paul Nsio gaining more valuable minutes at Raith Rovers in the Scottish Championship.
The midfielder impressed for the Kirkcaldy outfit, playing 90 minutes in the semi-final against Airdrieonians as they reached the KDM Evolution Trophy final, where they will meet Inverness.
Elsewhere, the quartet of Under-19s players on loan at Alloa Athletic are continuing to play an instrumental role in the Wasps’ push for promotion this term.
Midfielder Calum Adamson recently grabbed two assists in a 3-0 victory over Hamilton Academical, earning a spot in the SPFL Team of the Week as a result, while Callum Burnside was on the scoresheet in back-to-back weeks in wins over Hamilton Academical and East Fife.
Since returning to the Wasps following his loan spell with Raith Rovers at the start of the season, Josh Gentles has registered four goal contributions in five appearances, while Lewis Stewart took his number of goal involvements to eight with his assist last weekend.
Zander Hutton may have been on the losing side at the Indodrill that afternoon, but the full-back has made a big impression in Lanarkshire and has amassed over 20 appearances in League One already this campaign.
The club’s loan co-operation agreement with Stirling Albion in League Two has also borne fruit in the progression of Arran Kerr and Connor Campbell, who were ever-presents in the side across the month of February, while Alfie Halliwell and Blaine McClure continue to gain valuable minutes at Albion Rovers and Nottingham Forest, respectively.
The month also ended with 17-year-old midfielder Alexander Smith taking first steps out on loan as he joined League Two side Dumbarton until the end of the season, grabbing an assist on his debut for the club.
Back at the Rangers Training Centre, the Under-19s closed out the month with a penalty shootout victory over Celtic at Lennoxtown in the Glasgow Cup.
The victory earned the side a bonus point as Coben Fergusson, Calum Young, Ben Hutton, Kyle Glasgow, Lyle Wark, Conor Owen and Jack Wyllie all converted from the spot before Rydnn McGuire saved the final spot-kick.
"I have actually been with the first-team a lot, and Jack [Butland] has an unbelievable penalty record, so watching the stuff he does, I try to do,” the teenager said after the triumph.
"I try to be calm when the moment comes, and you're at Rangers for those big moments.”
The win followed up a 3-0 triumph over Motherwell in the League Cup group stage for the side, who earlier in the month played out a 2-2 draw with Hibernian on league duty.
The Under-19s group was bolstered by a return to action for midfielder Aiden McCallion, 17, who had been sidelined through injury since November.
It has also been enhanced by the youthful presence of several 2010-born players, including Kyle Glasgow, Coben Fergusson and Ruaridh Hall. Cody Mensing, still only 15, was also included among the substitutes in the Glasgow Cup victory over Celtic.
Down the age groups and the Gers Under-17s side returned to league action following a brief hiatus as they ran out 3-1 winners over Kilmarnock.
The most recent Scotland Under-17s squad also included heavy Rangers representation as Kyle Glasgow, Max Cameron and Chris Condy were selected, while the Under-16s group included call-ups for both Coben Fergusson, who was on the scoresheet against Cyprus, and Ashton Scally.
At Under-15s, level, meanwhile, Nathan Brown, Ollie Johnston, Ollie Masterton, Cody Mensing and Kai Urban all received call-ups for Scotland against Wales, with our Under-14s advancing to the CAS Cup semi-final with a penalty shootout victory.
Our Under-13s side made the trip to Aberdeen to compete in the Katoni Cup, a fast-paced five-a-side competition that blends traditional futsal demands with a competitive edge, with our Under-12s also present as Lucas Mawuena was voted Player of the Tournament.
The Manchester United Munich Remembrance Tournament also hosted our Under-11s side who, alongside our Under-9s and Under-10s, competed in challenging cross-border fixtures against Newcastle United and Leicester City.
For our Under-8s and Under-9s, those cross-border challenges came in the form of Manchester City and Leeds United, while our younger age groups also squared off against Manchester United.
Off the pitch, the Academy are delighted that forward Josh Gentles has signed a contract extension, with injury unfortunately set to rule the 18-year-old out for a period of time, while Kyle Glasgow, 16, signed his first professional contract.
The Rangers Youth Development Company donated another £300,000 to the Rangers Academy, taking their overall contribution to more than £12.5 million since 2002.
RYDC Director of Operations, Colin Stewart, joined Steven Smith, an Academy graduate who is now working as part of Danny Rohl’s backroom team, and goalkeeper Liam Kelly at the Rangers Training Centre last month to confirm the latest donation.
Colin Stewart commented: “It is a great pleasure to present another £300,000 to the Rangers Academy.
Every single penny of profit from our online store, Rangers Lotto, The Union Jackpot and Stadium Bricks is given to the Academy to help the development of our youth players, and it is always a thrill to see homegrown players making it into the first-team.
Interim Head of Academy, David McCallum, delivered a coaches in-service and our Academy players were also screened and educated on maintaining good dental hygiene by Dr. Mike Gow and The Berkeley Clinic.
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