MALKY Thomson says he was pleased with the victory and clean sheet that his Rangers Under-19s side produced in this afternoon’s 2-0 win over Kilmarnock in league action.
Goals from Conor Owen and Kyle Glasgow proved the difference in the contest at Rugby Park, scored either side of the half-time interval, as the young Gers moved clear at the summit of the league standings, albeit having played two games more than their two closest challengers.
It was an important victory for Rangers who took their goals well and defended valiantly, with goalkeeper Sam Reid, who started in place of Rydnn McGuire on international duty, producing a couple of fantastic saves to keep the scoreline as it was.
After Owen bulleted the Gers ahead with his head, Glasgow added the finishing touches in the second period with a fine finish to add to his strike in the side’s previous outing against St. Mirren earlier this month.
Speaking to the official Rangers website, Thomson said: “I thought we applied ourselves. I don’t think we were particularly good in possession, and we gave the ball away too many times, but the pleasing aspect is that we had a good reaction to giving the ball away.
“They applied themselves and scored two good goals, one in the first half and the other in the second, and overall it’s good to get the victory down here.
“A lot of credit goes to our goalkeeper. Sam [Reid] had two fantastic saves, one in the first-half and the reaction one in the second half is from his reflexes to get a good hand on the ball and save it.
“Conor Owen? Having attributes such as being able to defend properly, defend and attack the ball, and a ruthless nature about yourself are qualities that will stand him in good stead for the future.
“He is a winner and he has a desire and a passion. He does the basics well and competes.
“We played a different formation. We had to change it because Kyle [Glasgow] wasn’t getting much joy in the middle of the park, so we moved him wider to help.
“But his attitude is exemplary. He always gives 100 per cent and he gets his goal through a good finish.”
While Killie emptied their full allocation of substitutes before the 70th minute, Thomson was limited with his options on the bench amid several international call-ups and Under-17s players who were in action less than 24 hours ago against Dundee United.
Among the substitutes was a return from injury for midfielder Luca Rankin, while Thomson was particularly impressed by a certain youngster in midfield deputising for Aiden McCallion.
He continued: “We also have Luca Rankin back who played last night with the Under-17s and was on the bench today.
“There’s another talented player coming in who will add competition to the squad. He’ll be chapping the door to play against St. Mirren on Tuesday.
“The full bench played last night with the Under-17s, so we couldn’t make too many changes.
“I thought Calum Young had a really good performance again, and he’s had a really steady season. We’ve asked him to play numerous positions, and he’s contributed today playing in that No.6 role which he was asked to do with Aiden McCallion being away.
“It’s also worth remembering that if we were to put out a strong Under-19s team then we’re missing guys like Paul Nsio [who is out on loan].
“There’s a wealth of talent at the club, and it’s also out there playing men’s football.”
As well as their participation in the League Cup and Glasgow Cup, four league fixtures remain for the young Gers, the next of which comes in the form of a visit from Motherwell to the Rangers Training Centre on Thursday evening.
On his players’ mentality at this juncture in the campaign, Thomson added: “We’re taking everything game by game, but let’s not kid ourselves we’re the same as the men’s first-team in terms of going into the season looking to win the league.
“You always have that game to game mentality, and we want to win the league.”
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