IN the next instalment of our In Profile series shining a light on our Academy players, Chris Eadie discusses his footballing journey and his development as a forward in the youth ranks.
Eadie, 18, has enjoyed a prolific campaign for the Under-18s and helped the side lift the Glasgow Cup last month.
“I grew up in Larbert, which is a wee place near Falkirk,” Eadie reflected.
“My first boys club was Gairdoch which is a place in Falkirk.
“My main memory was playing football with my dad; it was always something which I did when I was younger.
“When we had time and the opportunity we would always go to the park or play out the back garden. My mum has always supported me and wanted me to do better.”
Eadie boasts a unique academy journey having enjoyed two separate spells with the Light Blues, sandwiched between a stint in the capital.
The young forward says he was always drawn to the prospect of playing for Rangers as a youngster.
“I joined Rangers from Gairdoch when I was around seven-years-old,” he continued.
“I signed for here then actually moved to Hearts for three or four years. I joined back here when I was 12-years-old.
“Every time we played Rangers when I was at Hearts they were always brilliant.
“I liked playing at the training ground when I was here before and I was excited straight away.
“Even when I first left Hearts I pretty much knew straight away that I wanted to go back to Rangers.
“I enjoyed my time when I was here before and it was a dream for me to come back.
“A year before I left Hearts one of the coaches just put me upfront in one of the games.
“At the time I didn’t really like it because it was a lot different to what I was used to – in midfield you get a lot of the ball and make passes which I enjoyed.
“It took a while to fall in love with the position, but now I really enjoy it.”
Physicality is a hallmark of Eadie’s game as a forward, using his size to outmuscle opponents and break into space.
The 18-year-old says he’s far from the finished article in his development as a forward and believes there are areas for improvement.
“I play as a striker and I feel it’s a lot more than just scoring goals,” he added.
“There is a lot of stuff behind it; I need to link play and bring others into the game. I need to do a lot of running out of possession to get the team up the pitch.
“You can’t just stay upfront, not move, and expect the ball to land with you. You need to move and bring others into the game. Those are the most important attributes for the team.
“I want to keep on improving in terms of turning on the ball. I like setting players and linking the game, but I don’t feel I turn as much and run at the defence with the ball.
“It’s something I want to do more in games.
“I would play somewhere in midfield if I could play in any other position, as a No.10 or No.8.
“I grew up playing in that position when I was younger and I always loved getting on the ball, being able to run, and finding passes.”