RYDC hosted a Twitter Q&A with Rangers B team coaches Kevin Thomson and Brian Gilmour recently.
Both men are relishing their new roles at the Academy and they were delighted to answer fans’ questions. Sporting Director Ross Wilson confirmed the Academy restructure recently and RYDC will have a series of Q&As with key coaching staff in the weeks ahead. Kevin and Brian were in the hot seat last Thursday and this is the highlights of their session…
Q Four Lads Had a Dream – Both – How are you enjoying being back on the training pitch & early impressions of the training gear from Castore? KT – Really missed the pitch, the interaction with the boys and being on the grass, the bits I love most about being a coach/manager. The new kit is good, could have done with losing a few more lbs during lockdown but it’s a nice fit. BG – Great firstly for the boys to be back on the training pitch as it’s been a long time for everyone and personally really enjoying it. Really like the new kit from Castore. Good quality and comfortable.
Q – Four Lads Had What are your hopes for your new roles & what styles will you try to implement? To Kev – I done your 5km challenge when you coming on my pod? KT – Hopes are to make improvements, only way I’d want to be at the club is if I can feel I can make a difference, this club demands the best and I will continue to demand that off my players. As for your pod....Heart and Hand won’t let me 🤣😉 BG – Not so much style but principles both on and off the pitch is always important and will continue to be the case. Hoping to continue the work with the players that has been done previously and during lockdown to get them back up and ready to push themselves into the new season.
Q – Lewis Mayo – Who would win a game of two touch? KT – I’m undefeated at heady tennis, me and Brian are a force, Pete Lovenkrands was the ultimate partner though. He suited my style as he was so sharp around the court and I just put the finishing touches in! 👌 BG – Lets find out... or BG + KT v Mayo +1
Q – Tommy – Given the restructure and movement of staff how important is it to minimise changes and keep continuity of coaching approach for the players? KT – There are always changes at big clubs, it’s just the environment we live in. So I always treat it as I will never take it for granted working for the club, exactly the same as I did when I played. The players are the most important part, it’s up to us as staff to try and help them prepare and maximise their talents. Only the strongest survive at the big clubs. BG – Tommy - Continuity and consistency across all Academy age groups are important. Personal relationships and awareness of individuals is consistent from all staff members across the departments of the Academy which is vital for all young players
Q – Stewart Mursell – Where you disappointed that Scottish football didn’t vote for the Colt teams to play in lower league? Personally think it would have been great for the Colts to play at that level. KT – The proposal Rangers produced hasn’t been voted on and contrary to media reports was never knocked back. Craig, Ross and Stewart are currently speaking with every club in the country and the feedback I have had is that the concepts have been really well received by almost all clubs and leagues. We firmly believe therefore that not only is the right thing for our top talent but that we are also heading in a direction that will bring positive change in Scottish Football. In the meantime, we will continue to try and be innovative and challenge our players as much as we can with the programmes we have previously used, with scope for that to always improve with the level of games we try to put on for them. Ultimately we want them to struggle, it isn’t easy being a Rangers player so beating teams easily and regularly isn’t something we take any notice of. We want the lads to struggle and constantly challenge them. BG – Stewart, like Thommo said we believe the concept, which works so well in nations throughout Europe is alive and moving forward by the club leadership. When you consider the benefits such as the exposure to playing against experienced men at 3pm on a Saturday, with a good Rangers crowd, for 3 points, with pressure and expectation but still being taught in the way we would like at Rangers by our staff, in excellent facilities with great multi-disciplinary staff around them then it will benefit not only Rangers but also the national team. Many of these lads are Scotland’s brightest talents and therefore it will help the national game as well as well as other clubs as not all of the lads in the B Team will go on to play for Rangers. It’s a no brainer for me and we remain optimistic the B Team and some other exciting concepts can be added to Scottish Football soon.
Q – Revan – What are you both aiming to achieve with the new role? KT – I’ve never hidden the fact that I want to be the manager one day, I’ve a long way to go. I strive to be the best I can be every day and even If I fall short it won’t be because of lack of drive or determination. I’m desperate for the current manager and group of staff and players to bring success back, they’ve all been really open and supportive of myself, I’d love to see them and the boys lift a trophy together. BG – Firstly looking forward to getting all the players back into training and working. After that will be important to put a challenging games programme in place. Longer term will of course be looking to aid the development of young players challenging to be part of the 1st Team.
Q – Graeme Doolan – What was the biggest surprise to you both when transitioning from players to coaches? KT – The biggest thing about playing to coaching is when playing you worry about yourself!!! When coaching you have 20 problems every day!!!! Ha! I haven’t really missed playing, I’ve been going nearly 5 years coaching now and it gives me a buzz every day, working at the club now for a few years, and also my own Academy, 24/7 on the pitch is what makes me tick. I get angry now and again but it’s only because I always want more from the people around me. BG – Not a surprise as such but the appreciation of time and detail that goes in to planning around all parts of training and games. A part I really enjoy but as a player probably didn’t realise how much.
Q – Graeme - And as coaches/managers what would you say is each other’s biggest strength? KT – I think manager suits me better, I feel more a natural leader, but at the same time I love the pitch and working with the players closely, my relationship with them would be my biggest strength I feel. I couldn’t just take a back seat though, at the moment I like being in the mix!!! Brian’s… I would say his detail within sessions, he is precise in what he wants delivered, it will be a different challenge for us both as the B team will mirror more a first team schedule and style of play as well. And with access to the manager and his staff it’s an unbelievable chance for us both to learn and pick their brains as much as we can. BG – Kevin’s Strengths: Very knowledgeable and approachable. Fantastic man managing skills and demands a standard daily on all aspects both on and off the pitch. Experience of being a top level player and sharing his experiences to the younger players is invaluable information.
Q – Keiran Reilly – Who is better looking? KT – Better looking....only Keiran would ask that!!!! 👀🤣 BG – Absolutely no idea Keiran...
Q – Jess – Who’s in charge of the snacks on the bus?
KT – Snacks on the bus Jess ..you’d think seen as Big Smithy never brought any last year we will be in for a few nice surprises!! 😉 BG – Jess...KT is well known for providing hundreds of biscuits on a weekly basis for staff...and not 1 leftover for him. I will go first for snacks.
Q – GingerBeerd – How would Brian compare the facilities at regime in place now compared to when he was a young lad breaking through? BG – The facilities have improved year on year. I felt really fortunate to have the opportunity and access to facilities and staff. The improvements made is and will continue to be beneficial to all players.
Q – Stuart Orr – Does @KThomsonAcademy see himself managing the first team 1 day ? KT – I can’t hide the fact that’s the dream, that’s the drive, that’s the ultimate goal, I may well fall short, but I will give it my best shot!! It’s up to me to continue to learn to continue to grow my profile, continue picking people’s brains who can help me evolve. Having access to the Manager, Mick Beale, Gary Mac, Tom Culshaw and Jordan Milsom is invaluable for me to learn from. And the best bit is they want to help me, that I need to take as much as I can from.
Q – Barrabing – With the Championship season not due to start till October, will there be a chance of the B teams playing friendlies against these clubs or will it be a different level of opposition that’s targeted? KT – Championship clubs are definitely something we will look at, the logistics are something that need to be looked at and will need to suit both parties but that’s the games we want. The best level available to stretch and challenge the players against men when possible is what we want. BG – I think games against different types of opposition and varied levels of challenge has been a key factor and will continue to be the case. Certainly Championship opposition could potentially be an option.
Q – Ross Douglas – A question for Kevin, are there any players who have put you in mind of you at that age for example the style of their play? KT – I was very aggressive as a midfielder, we have a few. I’d say Ciaran Dickson is similar, possibly not as aggressive in tackling, but he can put his foot in when he wants. He has all the tools to go on and become a top player, the one bit our lads need to realise and realise quickly is talent will only take you so far. All the bits not many enjoy, the hard bits the extra miles, the way of living like an elite player, all these bits can make a huge difference.
Q – Tom Brown – Wouldn’t it be great for kids if new stand at training ground was jumping to give lads a feel for big crowd(eventually)? KT – I’m sure it holds around 300/350 people, but obviously there is standing as well. Not sure how many we are actually allowed in with parking/safety etc but the support for the boys when we do have games on would be much appreciated, not only by them but by me as well. So if you want to watch our young talent, and many of you do, get along and support the boys if you can when it’s safe to do so. BG – Tom, I agree. I know the lads that have played in front of crowds in recent years have enjoyed it and it’s part of hopefully becoming a Rangers player.
Q – BattleFeverPod – Kev how do you as a former player and now Coach at Rangers prepare the younger ones for the Mentality side of playing for Rangers? KT – The mentality side at our club is huge, most get to Rangers because they have talent, the one thing I know is that alone isn’t enough at a club like ours. So I try and pass on constant advice, but the biggest part for me is the demands I place on them every day. I try and challenge them, try and demand more from them, only the best standards cut it with me. It was expected of me as a player, so no way do I or will I ever accept anything less from any Rangers player that I get to work with.
Q – Battle Fever Pod – Do you ever think Rangers would have progression from within where coaches with the first team are concerned like Barca used to? KT – I always believe there’s a pathway, and I believe there’s one there for me if I’m good enough and work hard enough for it. Harsh reality is, the size of our club means that the one person has to be the best for the job at that given time. I’ve got to keep believing that can be me one day. It might never happen, but I’d back myself against any. BG – I think anything that will ultimately be of benefit to the team on the pitch will always be considered yes.
Q – RoyalBlue1872 – Kev, now that we have contact training. Who was the first person you slid tackled? KT – Unfortunately I can’t run the length of me anymore, but it means our lads are fit and healthy and no miss-timed tackles have landed anyone in the physio room 🤣
Q – David Morrison – You have some real talent on your hands what makes you and Brian the right men to get them to the 1st team? And do you think we can have a proper conveyor belt of talent every 1/2 years? KT – I suppose time will tell, I’ve always felt the bridge between the reserves and the first team is too big at lots of clubs so it’s up to me to try and help close that gap. They are here because they have talent, to be a Rangers player you need to have much more than that. So I will constantly preach my standards and what was expected of me as a player and try and install and demand that off everyone I work with. BG – I think we do have a lot of talent and potential throughout the Academy. Both Kevin and I will look to guide and push their development to hopefully a point of challenging to make an impact on the 1st Team through work ethic and a relentless approach to improving.
Q – Scott Brown – Hi guys. What are you most looking forward to in your new role? Also how much does it differ from both your previous roles? Thanks. KT – Working day to day with the players, helping them to try and hopefully improve as individuals, and ultimately we want as many as possible knocking on the door of the first-team squad. That’s not an easy task, but it’s one I love taking on, we need to be preparing as many as possible to hopefully be good enough to effect the first team. BG – Hi Scott, looking forward to the new challenges that the role will present. Not too dissimilar the players will differ in age and different types of games so that will be a good experience for everyone.
Q – BG – What are the plans for Rangers B in term of getting the players sufficient game time? KT – We will try and put on as challenging a games programme as we can, the Colts team would be a game changer, but if that doesn’t happen then we need to make sure the level of competition really challenges our players and makes it tough for them. I believe in struggle, want to see them have to dig in and not have it all their own way. BG – Sufficient game time will absolutely be key and in the coming weeks we will have a programme of challenging fixtures in place to supply the needs of the players.
Q – Graeme McGraw – What was your favourite part during your coaching courses? All the best for the new season and in your new roles. #AskAcademyCoaches KT – Joining in!!! Ha! I was quite Nervous when I first started, but once you grow in confidence and find your way of getting your points across I’m fascinated with it now. I do feel in time I will gravitate more towards being a manager than a day to day coach, but I do really enjoy coming up with my own ideas and my own sessions. BG - I enjoyed the interaction and debate with all different coaches on the courses and sharing of opinions. Thank you very much I appreciate it.
Q – With the changes that Ross Wilson has implemented what improvement can you see and with Katic injured, what youth player do you think could step up to cover and also what young players should we be looking out for? KT – At the moment Lewis Mayo has been with the first team, it will be a challenge every day for him to continue to stay in the managers thoughts. Ultimately for our young guns to break through they need to be better than who’s holding the jersey at the moment. That’s just football, the harsh reality of it, and that has to be proved everyday not just a session or a game here or there. That’s the making of a Rangers player producing the goods day in day out and come Saturday your reliable.
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