In recent weeks we have organised Q&A’s with Rangers Academy Head Craig Mulholland, former defender Steven Smith, Helicopter Sunday hero Alex Rae, striking legend Derek Parlane, academy coaches Max Ashmore and Ross Lyon and youth players Stephen Kelly and Lewis Mayo.
Alan and Mark were next up and here are the highlights of their session…
Q – Jamie Hare – Hello Gents, how do you help youth players develop mentally for the pressures of being a footballer?
AB – In the children’s phase it’s about making the environment they train in fun, challenging and competitive. In the games programme it’s about giving them different experiences, such as 25% of your games are easy, 50% are tight games you may win or lose by the odd goal and 25% of the games they may lose 3 or 4 nil. They need to experience the highs and lows to help them build a resilience. I’m sure Mark will speak more about our player care team who look after the mental wellbeing of our young players and support the parents as the lads go through their journey.
MS – At the club we speak about Ball, Game, Body and Mind. We have specialists in every area and those 4 remain constant in every training session. We continually reflect and look at how we are challenging the players and how we can continue to provide them with the tools to succeed as a Rangers player.
Within the Academy we have a player care team which is made up of a number of experts who are available to players depending on their needs. Within the player care, led by Creag Robertson, we have a child protection officer, mental health nurse and sports psychologist.
We also work with Donald McNaughton who provides players with specific mindset training and education. We understand that there is a lot going on within a young player’s life and we aim to provide them with the tools and care they need both individually and collectively to succeed on and off the pitch.
Q – What challenges is the current situation giving you?
AB – It’s very difficult when you can’t get out on the training pitch and you are working behind a computer to keep challenging our lads. I feel when we go back we will have taken our programme to another level with the work we have been doing with them on the webinars with regards to our behaviours and how they fit in to our game model. We have produced a resource which will improve and enhance our programme in the future.
MS – It is an unprecedented time for everyone. Usually at the club we have a lot of activity on all the time within the various squads from morning to evening.
The challenge for me is missing that day to day working pattern of being at the training centre and working with the players. Take for instance the players within our program at Boclair, they are in and around the training ground 6 days a week so not being able to work with not only that group but all the various teams isn’t ideal. However, I do look with pride at the work that all the staff have done in the creation of the programme that players have been working on over the last few months. We have used modern technology to continue having regular interaction with the players.
What we have produced has been world class and will be incredibly useful as resource for the future weeks, months and years. Although the situation is far from ideal we have taken the challenge head on and developed an innovative forward thinking programme that our players continue to enjoy and develop from.
Q – Is there any way you can make up for lost time once this ends?
AB – I don’t see this as lost time we just need to make the best of the situation we are in. Our young lads are working on their individual technique with the skills challenges we are setting them each week and the improvements from week 1 to the present have been fantastic. It is all about the individual putting in the hard work to improve.
MS – MS – Of course this is difficult however during this time we have provided the players with as much resource as we can for them to continue to develop.
Players have been had a number of resources available including weekly skill challenges, access to Coerver sessions and online portal, Game Model Videos and Tactical Webinars, Senseball activities, Brain Training, Sports Science sessions and have been incredibly creative in working on their IPT (individual player targets).
We haven’t looked at this period as lost time in terms of learning opportunities, we do understand that we haven’t had the opportunity to be on the grass as much having that face to face interaction but we have most certainly provided the players with a comprehensive programme during this time that will ensure that when players return they will be ready to maximise the opportunities that being back on the pitch will provide.
Q – Who were your footballing heroes growing up?
AB – Sandy Jardine was my hero as a boy. I loved watching Sandy play; he was a fantastic attacking full back, who scored some memorable goals. I also had the pleasure of working with Sandy at Rangers; he was also an absolute gentleman.
MS – Has to be Ally McCoist for me. He was the player in the number 9 who scored the goals, the fans sung his name and he was top notch on Question of Sport. Had the pleasure of meeting him and the opportunity to be in the opposing dugout on a number of occasions when he was Rangers Manager.
Q – Brido – Hi guys my boy is 6 and absolutely loves the game of football. Have been told he has good potential so what advice can you give to him to better himself and where is the best place to be spotted? Thanks
AB – There will always be people watching for talented young players, let him enjoy playing and practicing his skills. Only advice I would give him is always challenge yourself.
MS – Brilliant that your 6 year old loves the game as it’s an incredibly important quality to have. I loved the game at 6 and continue to do at 34, it’s that love that motivates me every session and game. My advice is to be at a club or with a coach where he continues to love the game while providing a safe and fun environment in which players can improve. There are a lot different ways that players can be identified however identification is a by-product of the player being in the right club for them to enjoy the game and develop as a player and person
Q – Steven Harrigan – At the schoolboy level, how much emphasis is placed on keeping everyone involved as much as possible so their passion for the game continues to grow, whilst at the same time still receiving the level of coaching required to progress?
AB – In the Children’s phase we have equal game time for all young players, they need to play and feel that their development is as important as anyone else’s.
MS – At the Intermediate Phase we have some players at Boclair Academy while others attend the Scottish FA Performance Schools these are in addition to our Academy Team provision.
Within our team provision every player receives the same programme. We aim to provide maximum opportunity for every player in training and games. During games we provide a consistent level of game time as we understand the importance of games as a learning tool, the game is also a huge motivator for players.
We understand that players develop at different speeds and to ensure that we cater for all we are consistent in both training and game time minutes to provide every player the maximum opportunity to learn, develop and implement.
Q – Colin – Was there a definite moment when you decided to move into coaching or have you just found yourself there?
AB – I think you play for as long as you can, and then you need to replace what you enjoy. Coaching young players was always next move for me.
MS – I have always loved the game and saw myself being involved in some capacity but never saw it becoming a career. When I was about 20 and in higher education it was a great part time job and just took off from there so I found myself following that path. I am fortunate to work in football and love my job.
Q – Colin – You turn the corner at the Academy & you’re face to face with the Manager. Do you say? 1. Hi Boss, how’s things? OR 2. Thmmfrshggtfgy
AB – You just say. Hi gaffer and hope he wants to stop and have a chat. The gaffer and his staff have been great with the young lads.
MS – Anyone who knows me would say I’m never lost for words so I’d probably follow your first option of “Morning Gaffer, how are you?”
Q – Tom Miller – Hi Alan. When developing players at such a tender age what are the key qualities you look for ?
AB – We always try and look at Ball, Game, Body and Mind as they go through the academy. At very young ages it would be good technique and desire to be the best you can be.
Q – Tom Miller – Hi Mark. At intermediate level how crucial is that period in developing the character & mentality of a youngster if they are to have a future as a professional ?
MS – Good question Tom, at the intermediate phase is where a lot of growth happens to occur as players are between the age of 12 to 16. So there are a variety of factors to consider including maturation, changing of game format and moving from Primary to Secondary school.
So during that time there are a lot of things happening so the character and mentality becomes incredibly important. With all that in consideration we follow the club’s methodology and build on what they have learned with Alan and the coaches at the Children’s Academy to provide them with the tools they need to succeed as a full time player within the Professional phase.
This consists of increased sports science support, further video and data analysis, building on the teaching of tactical principles and the addition of more contact time that includes each teams coming into the Training Centre for one day a week to training.
Coaches at this phase are continually challenging the players in every aspect as to be a Rangers player you have to be ready to deal with a number of challenges and situations that come with playing for this great club. What is important is that we roll everything in together so Ball, Game, Body and mind are constant in every session so the approach we take is very holistic.
In everything we do we are very aware of how important it is that we develop the person to not only be a good citizen but to portray the characteristics of a Rangers player including respect, love of the game, growth mindset and the motivation to not only practice but be committed to be their personal best in every session and game.
Q – Greg Statt – Boydy – has there been any games / tournaments over the years that really stick out in your mind as highlights and why?
AB – The year Rangers signed Paul Le Guen as manager we went to a tournament next to his hometown and his family were all at the tournament. We took a squad of 10 players and played against some fantastic teams such as Arsenal, Lille, Basle and Lyon who we played in the final. 8 players out of the 10 went on to have professional careers
Q – Greg Statt – Mark – what was it like coaching in the away dug out at Ibrox during your time at St Mirren?
MS – My immediate memory was how noisy it was, I had been a few times previously with Dumbarton but when I was at St Mirren it was both manager’s first league game in change of new teams, Friday Nighy under the lights.
Coming to Ibrox was always hard but that night was heightened due to the expectation of both clubs. The stadium was packed and the atmosphere was electric. I remember it being difficult for us to give players information onto the park because of it. Also our subs warming up at the Broomloan and trying to shout someone up took ages as the Union Bears were down that end making loads of noise. The atmosphere, support and noise that night is something I have never forgot.
Q – Kevin Thomson – Boydy after this 12 week lockdown, and all that short game practice you’ve done, how many shots you giving me for our next round!!?? Oh and if there’s anything Academy related that be great
AB – Thommo – 2 weeks back on the course, I will still be looking for a couple of shots. Last time I played golf with you we had to get a bus to get to your drives. Practice and play as often as you can in order to improve.
Q – Stuart MacQuarrie – Hi guys. Apart from the development of technical skills, teamwork and work on physical fitness what is the most important aspect of life at the Academy?
AB – We have an Academy culture that promotes respect and learning in an aspirational environment that develops quality’s that will aid them in later life. We think it’s important that our young players continue to work hard at school and socialise with their friends. It is important for them to be active within the school and the community.
MS – Outside of the football aspects I believe it is being a good person. Within the club there are a number of life skills that can be learned away from the pitch. We look for players to take responsibility with their schoolwork, diet, rest and sleep. When players are in and around the training ground they demonstrate respect to other players, staff, equipment and the facility in general.
Q – Tracy – How do you keep minds focused on development when the players are so young?
AB – It’s important when they are young to set them goals that are achievable and keep them challenged. Player challenge stimulates motivation and interest. Lots of ‘you v you’ activity. We find that competition within the training sessions keeps them focused.
MS – They are young people first of all and we have to remember that. We ensure that the provision we provide the players is relevant to their age and stage of development. All the young players who attend the academy want to be a professional player so they tend to be incredibly motivated.
What we do is provide an environment where they can learn but also have fun and be able to express themselves on the pitch. We want them to focus on enjoying the training session and the learning that is happening during it is seamless. Players have got to enjoy what they do in order to gain the maximum from it. Our methodology at the club allows for a lot of learning within enjoyable sessions.
Q – And how much of a challenge is it to stay patient with young players?
AB – I don’t think you should be involved in coaching if you are not prepared to be patient with young players. All players develop at different rates and stages, it is important to give them appropriate challenges that will help their development. I think as a club we have become much better at giving young players time to reach their potential.
MS – The players that Boydy and his staff work with are at the start of their football journey. Normally by the time they enter our phase they have at least a minimum 1 year within our Academy – some have been there for as long as 5 to 6 so they understand how a Rangers behaves on and off the pitch.
However what I will say is that patience is everything in Academy environments as the development of young players takes time. There are no real shortcuts they can take so we are aware of the need to be patient with their development.
Q – Blair – Boydy – what is the best characteristic for a children’s/youth academy coach?
AB – Best characteristic..i.t is all about your personality. Get to know your players. How do they like feedback? How do they learn? Show players you care – soft skills. Make your environment challenging competitive and respectful.
Q – Mark – what is the main difference from coaching senior players to intermediate player?
MS – I would say that the main difference is the outcome at that moment. With senior players the end result of games each week and the teams placing at the season’s end is what is motivates them and what everyone is ultimately judged on.
So the aims and objectives are results driven and training is based about preparation for the game and countering the opposing teams strengths and attacking their weaknesses. While the players at the intermediate phase the focus is on their development and preparing them for that step into full-time football.
We work every week through our seasonal periodisation plan, training is focussed on key objectives of our club game model and the games are focussed on performance and the success of how that game model is applied.
At Rangers working within the academy methodology which has 3 stages, our job as the middle stage is to add further player behaviours and team tactical principles to what the players have learned within the Children’s Academy.
Over the 3 years they are with the Intermediate Academy we have to continually progress and challenge the players to ensure that at the end of the each season the key learning objectives have been met so that by the time they move into the Professional Academy and full-time football to continue their education further, the players are appropriately prepared in all aspects of Ball, Game, Body and Mind.
Q – Nick – Alan – Broadly what are some of the attributes you are looking for players to have when recruiting them for the Children’s Academy?
AB – In the Academy we work on Ball, Game, Body and Mind. If the young players have 2 or 3 of these traits then it is a great start. Good technique, speed and agility and a desire to master new skills and challenges.
Q – Nick – Mark – How have you been settling into your new role and how impressed have you been by the way the Academy has kept going through lockdown?
A – I’ve settled in great, everyone at the club have been excellent. Although the lockdown has interrupted the season I was fortunate to be in for 3 months before this so got to work with all the players within the phase and got a great grasp of all the teams within the club.
During the lockdown I have been incredibly impressed everything the academy and football club have done. We speak about being one club and that has very evident during this time, it’s been incredible to be part of it.
Obviously this time is unprecedented however the club was progressive and staff have collaborated to create an excellent programme that I think every player and parent would say they have embraced and enjoyed.
We have worked with new technology and developed several new resources that will benefit the players in the coming months and years. We have created a best in class programme which has a legacy for the best practice to continue post lockdown to continually support our players.
AB/MS – That’s us finished. Thanks for taking the time to ask us questions and thanks for supporting @RFC_Youth and @rfc_rydc. We hope you and your families are safe and well.
RYDC will have more Q&As in the weeks ahead.
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