CONOR OWEN says he is relishing the step up to Under-19s level in recent weeks after starting at the heart of the defence in last night’s 1-1 draw with Hearts in league action.
It was a second start for Liam Ross’ side for the 16-year-old defender this season, with Owen having also captained Malky Thomson’s Under-17s this term.
Speaking to RangersTV after the draw in Edinburgh, which moved the Gers level on points with St. Mirren and Hibernian at the summit of the table, he said: “The last two weeks has been good being in full-time with the Under-19s.
“There are definitely positives, and I can see a big improvement in my game after training with the boys.
“There are definitely similarities [to Under-17s], but this is a step up and everyone knows that.
“There is more physicality, speed, bigger boys, faster boys. It’s a big step up, but I thought myself personally, and other boys playing up like Calum Young, we all coped well.
“It was tough for me and Jack [Wyllie], but we did well, and we were solid.
“On a personal note, I thought I did well in the game, which I’m happy with.
“I didn’t know I was starting until today, which I was buzzing with, and I thought I went on, played my game, and that’s all I could do really.”
Rangers took the lead in the contest through Chris Condy in the first half, but they were pegged back midway inside the second period when Hearts levelled.
Owen had the ball in the net himself later in the half, flagged for offside, before Condy agonisingly rattled the woodwork in stoppage time.
On his side’s performance, Owen added: “I thought a draw was a fair result over the 90 minutes. At this club, you want to win every game; that’s what the target is.
“We don’t set that standard, neither do the coaches; it’s the name and badge that sets the standard.
“We had chances to finish them off early doors, but they also had chances and Rydnn [McGuire] pulled off some cracking saves to keep it at a draw.
“It’s been a consistent theme over the last couple of games. If we bury the chances early doors we then gain control of the game. Overall, it was a fair result. We’ll move on and work on our finishing in training.”
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