JOSH GENTLES says he relished the service provided by Kieran Dowell as the 16-year-old continued his goalscoring form for Rangers B this evening.
David McCallum’s side may have bowed out of the SPFL Trust Trophy at the hands of Airdrieonians, but the teenager was on the scoresheet alongside the man ten years his senior as Dowell stepped up his return to full fitness with a beneficial 75 minutes.
Speaking to RangersTV after the match, Gentles reflected on the experience: “You can’t ask for much better in terms of service, especially as a striker and attacking midfielder. It’s perfect in terms of players playing you through.
“It’s about using that experience of playing alongside and against first-team players. I want to bring that into Under-18s level and even playing for the B Team, and hopefully play as many minutes as possible for both squads.”
The Welsh Under-17 international broke the deadlock for the Light Blues inside four minutes as he dispatched from a James Graham pull-back, but the Scottish Championship outfit responded to turn the game on its head before the interval.
Rhys McCabe’s men then extended their advantage shortly after the interval but, after Dowell pulled a goal back for the Light Blues, there only looked one team destined to score as Cole McKinnon was left agonising over a strike that appeared to cross the goalline.
Gentles continued: “We done well but it’s a hard one to take. I thought if Cole’s strike goes in then it’s a completely different game and the momentum changes at 3-3.
“I thought in the second half we were very good and went close, but it’s unfortunate.
“It’s been good [playing against senior professionals]. Obviously it’s hard playing against a first-team and men, but I’m really enjoying it.
“I enjoy it because it suits my game and allows me to get in about people; trying to hold the ball up against people who are twice my age.”