MARCH marked a positive month in the Rangers Academy as the business end of the season comes into focus.
In the latest instalment of our Academy Monthly series, we reflect on the last month throughout the age groups at the Light Blues.
Academy graduate Bailey Rice has certainly made an impression under the guidance of Barry Ferguson in the first-team, with the 18-year-old midfielder introduced at the half-time interval in Saturday’s dramatic 4-3 victory at Dens Park.
Four goals were plundered in a pulsating second half as Rice helped the Gers turn a 3-1 deficit on its head to prevail with an improbable three points.
The midfielder, meanwhile, was joined in the matchday squad by Findlay Curtis for both legs of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 victory over Fenerbahce last month.
At the same time, several Rangers loanees are approaching crunch time with their respective loan clubs as promotion, relegation and play-off implications reach fever pitch.
Archie Stevens at Dunfermline Athletic will hope to help the Pars stave off the threat of relegation; Josh Gentles’s Alloa Athletic sit on the cusp of the play-off spots in League One; Blaine McClure’s Kelty Hearts are looking over their shoulders; while Jack Harkness and Leyton Grant will hope to propel Stirling Albion into the play-offs in League Two.
March also marked the final international fixtures of the season as the Rangers Academy were represented across the Scotland and Wales age groups.
Aiden McCallion and Alexander Smith featured across all three games for Scotland Under-17s – with the latter netting in an 8-0 win over Lichtenstein – as they helped secure promotion to League A for the 2026/2027 Under-19 competition.
In the meantime, Josh Gentles featured for Wales Under-18s, while Findlay Curtis, Jack Wyllie and Connor Campbell celebrated their first call-ups to the Scotland Under-19s squad for a pair of friendlies in Pinatar, Spain.
Curtis was a standout performer for the young Scots as he assisted both of their goals across the clashes with Sweden and Poland.
“I got the email beforehand – they send out an email before the squad is announced – and it was a proud moment for me, my family, and my friends,” the 18-year-old said of his call-up at the time.
It was quite hard watching other boys get called up, but I just kept my head down, kept on working hard, and my reward has come.”
Back at the Rangers Training Centre and prior to the international hiatus, an Under-19s side led by Stevie Smith enjoyed a strong test against Crystal Palace Under-21s.
The winning goal was delivered by Calum Adamson in the second half as he tapped home from an Alexander Smith pull-back to secure a hard-fought victory.
Stevie Smith said of the display: “The game did bring certain moments where it was tough for them, but that’s what these games are for.
“I thought they performed slightly better in the second half; we learned from the moments in the first half and took them into the second half.”
Both players have also been involved heavily for the Under-18s side who went unbeaten throughout the month of March.
Six goals were plundered against Queen’s Park and Hearts in emphatic victories for the young side, while they also netted five on the road against Kilmarnock after finding themselves 2-1 down.
Off the pitch, the Academy were delighted to host an ECA Coaches Exchange in which Benfica, Feyenoord and AS Monaco visited the Rangers Training Centre.
Elsewhere, the Under-8s side participated in the Man City Spring Series alongside Manchester City, Crystal Palace, Brentford and Anderlecht, while the Academy took part in three-team cross border festivals with St. Mirren and Newcastle United.
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