RHYS BREEN overcame a serious hip injury early in his career and the Rangers Academy central defender is eager to make up for lost time during his season-long loan spell with Partick Thistle.
The talented 20-year-old showed great mental strength and determination to get back playing again and his hard work and dedication was rewarded when he returned to action in time to help Rangers clinch the Reserve league title in 2019.
Rhys scored a vital equaliser in a 3-1 victory over Falkirk as the young Light Blues secured that championship and he has worked tirelessly on his game ever since.
He joins academy goalkeeper Kieran Wright at Firhill for the 2020/21 campaign and he is relishing the chance to gain vital first-team experience at this stage of his career.
Breen, pictured promoting the Rangers Youth Development Company whose annual donations assist the Rangers Academy, said: “I have enjoyed the training sessions at Partick Thistle so far and I’ve had a good chat with the manager (Ian McCall) so I know what is expected of me this season.
“We have been working hard and I am in a good environment, I can’t wait to get playing competitive matches.
“I am training hard and trying to do everything right so I can’t wait for the league season to start.
“I will work as hard as I can and help Partick Thistle as much as I can to win the league. That is the target.
“Kieran is with me this season and we have former Rangers players Richard Foster and Zak Rudden here too and everyone at the club has been so welcoming.
“I feel I am maturing and getting into a different environment will be good for me. It’s not academy football anymore, this is competitive football and a men’s dressing room and it will help me develop.
“This move will help me mature on and off the pitch and Partick Thistle are a great club for me to go to.
“I spoke to the gaffer and he knows what I am capable of. I will knuckle down and work hard and try my best to help them get good results every week.
“Every training session means the world to me now. I always give 100% during the sessions and I enjoy them all having been out long-term through injury.
“I am also working hard off the pitch in the gym and I feel fit and strong.
“I want to play as many games as I possibly can. I want to be a better player by the end of the season and help Partick Thistle be successful.
“I have seen a lot of my Rangers Academy teammates go out on loan and return better players for the experience so that’s what I aim to do too.
“I am only 20 and this is the start of a new career chapter for me. It’s a season I am really looking forward to.”
Since 2002 profit from Rangers Youth Development Company products has gone to the Rangers Academy with well over £8.5 million donated in that time.