FOUR of Rangers’ Under-19s players have been gaining vital senior experience on loan at Alloa Athletic this season as the League One side target promotion.
Calum Adamson, Josh Gentles and Lewis Stewart have all been part of the Wasps side after joining the squad as part of the club’s loan co-operation agreement with the League One outfit, while Northern Irish youth international Callum Burnside, who is not eligible to play for Scotland and therefore does not meet the loan co-operation criteria outlined by the Scottish FA, makes up the quartet.
Such has been their impact that they have combined for over 50 appearances this campaign, with each player scoring multiple times in a campaign that sees the Wasps sitting in third place.
In the latest instalment of Loan Rangers, RangersTV visited the Indodrill Stadium to check up on the development of our four loan players.
As part of the episode we spoke to Andy Graham, player/manager at Alloa Athletic, who expressed his delight at the contribution of the young players over the course of this season.
He said: “They have given us real depth and competition for places, which we need, but it’s competition for places all over the pitch with young, talented and hungry players who have bought into everything we’ve looked for them to do.
“It’s easy to come from a club like Rangers to a part-time team and perhaps have a little bit of arrogance, but they absolutely don’t.
“Fair play to the players too because they’ve welcomed them with open arms. It can be difficult when they’re going away on a Thursday night and they’re not here for training but they’re in the squad for a Saturday.
“However, the boys understand they’re not here on a Thursday night because they’re involved in a European squad for Rangers.”
Stewart, who turns 19 in April, made his 17th appearance of the season in Alloa’s 2-0 away victory over East Fife on Saturday afternoon, teeing up Gers teammate Burnside inside a minute to open the scoring.
He has been an ever-present in the starting lineup in recent months while also featuring in several European squads under Danny Röhl back at Rangers, and the teenager says it has been a beneficial experience in his footballing development.
He continued: “I’ve really enjoyed it. Coming out and playing first-team football is something I need to come out and do in my career, and I thought I was ready at 18 to take the next step and go out on loan.
“I’ve adapted to it pretty well, and when I have gotten into the team after struggling at the start I think I’ve taken my chance and stayed in it.”
You can watch the full Loan Rangers feature below.
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