COLE McKINNON says Rangers B are eager to get their hands on silverware as the young Gers kick off their Glasgow Cup campaign with a visit from Queen’s Park tomorrow afternoon.
The midfielder certainly has fond memories of the competition having lifted the trophy in 2022, scoring early in the final against the Spiders before the Light Blues ran out 3-1 winners.
And the 20-year-old insists the side are hungry to repeat the feat this campaign as he recalled the memories of lifting the trophy alongside players who, like McKinnon, are now pushing for a first-term berth.
Speaking to the official Rangers website, McKinnon commented: “I think there was six of us who were on the bench in Prague recently that had all started or played a part in the Glasgow Cup final [in 2022].
“It finished 3-1 that day and we scored early on; it was myself that scored the goal within the first ten seconds. Queen’s Park were a good side and I know they’ll be a good side coming in this year as well.
“The boys are looking forward to it and you can see the games are coming thick and fast now.
“When those cup games come around, the boys do want to win it. It’s something at the heartbeat of our club, to win trophies, and I know all the boys will be playing as hard as they can like they do in training. It’ll be a good game and it’s one we’re all looking forward to.”
McKinnon was part of a quintet of 2003-born players who were part of the matchday squad for last week’s Europa League clash away to Sparta Prague, with the bench featuring a total of eight current Academy players or graduates.
The young midfielder, who has trained regularly with the first-team since the manager was appointed, believes it underlines the faith that Philippe Clement has placed in the Academy in his short spell in charge.
He continued: “It’s good to see among our age group that there are chances for the boys at first-team level. You can see Ross McCausland playing his part in the first-team and getting his minutes now and all the boys are buzzing for him.
“It’s now about the rest of the lads following the path that he’s on right now. It’s good to see so many boys from the one age group getting those opportunities.
“The year above us and the year above them had high expectations on them, so that gave us a challenge every day to try and follow the way they were going.
“We knew the talent that we had in the dressing room in our first year in the B Team, and a lot of the boys have kicked on. Hopefully a few of the boys can break through here and it’s been a good journey.
“A few of the boys knew what the manager was like with youth players at his previous clubs, so straight away we were delighted. There’s players on the bench, others getting minutes, and it’s a nice journey to be on. I’ve trained round there a few times and I know how good the gaffer is.”