Blantyre_Braveheart

Dede the RB at Celtic is a young scot who has benefited massively from this lowland league season. 15 now 16 (I believe) and he has been playing mens football and it shows on him physically. Definitely one to watch out for in the future.

Performance school is a massive help. The big change however is playing in the lowland league. Instead of going out on loan to lower league clubs who (with no disrespect) don't have access to the same level of facilities, coaches, sports scientists and fitness coaches, they are staying and playing under those while playing the same style as the first team in the lowland league. Rangers play the same style all the way through the different age groups. While the lowland league isn't as good a standard as the championship or league 1. It is still a good level with many clubs who would excel in league 2. It provides tough physical mens games where these lads still have to try and win. There is pressure but not at the same degree and allows these lads to play the mistakes out of their game. The previous promising players didn't have this season in the lowland league and it showed when they went out on loan. Would McPake, Kennedy, Mebude, Maxwell, etc be in a better position now had they gotten this year in the lowland league at 17-19. Some of these young lads will probably still have to go out on loan to hopefully continue their development but they will be a lot better prepared for it than the previous generation.

They played 5 18/19 year old Scots and 3 non scot youngsters and beat a strong hearts team. Regardless of the club, playing that many teenagers and them doing well is impressive. Especially when you consider Rangers of the past (even just the last manager) would never, ever do that. Gerrard used to think giving one young lad 30 minutes in a dead rubber as a prize to the youth team. I'd say the same if it was Celtic, Aberdeen or Dundee United. Who did this. Dundee United Deserve so much credit for how much they've given youth a chance.

McLaughlin, Devine, King, Lowry starting for Rangers today. McCrorie, McKinnon and Fraser on the bench.

Dapo from their time at Rangers was the more promising of the 2 but Dapo apparently had attitude problems. He Struggled to kick on due to it and was terrible out on loan at QotS with time time keeping. Hopefully as Dapo gets older he will grow and mature as he has natural raw attributes that you can't teach, along with good technique.

Fair play to the lad. I was honestly surprised when he signed for them but he has obviously took this opportunity and ran with it. I hope it works out for him and Scotland. He is eligible for Nigeria aswell so should be in our young squads. Look what happened with Souttar and Mccarthy when they felt like they weren't wanted by us. Countries like Nigeria, Ireland, Australia, etc are ridiculously pro active when it comes to recruiting foreign born youngsters. We need to be careful and show how important youngsters like Mebude are to us.

Lowry had a decent game. I was a little surprised he got motm. He had some good moments and made some great moves and passes, but his shooting was poor and misplaced a few passes. He set up a penalty and we probably should have gotten another penalty from his through ball. I think he needs to work on his shooting in a low block situation. He was trying to shoot on the curl across goal but when there are 4 players trying to close you down. It doesn't work. Just need to rattle it low to goal. What I liked though was even when Lowry's through ball never came off, he was never afraid to try a killer ball the next time he had the ball. So many players would retreat into their shell and start playing safe passes. A very impressive mentality for an 18 year old making just his second start. His pass accuracy will be lower just like Hagi but he will end up with a massive amount of assists and second ball assists if he continues to show this confidence and skill.

I think Lowry is playing the glasgow cup final tomorrow that'll probably be his big send off into the first team. I think Ramsey started to try and get him fit for the Europa League final. I'd argue Arfield was the bigger waste starting. Lowry and Ramsey showed some lovely link play together when they were on the park together. Wednesday I think a few more regulars will start to keep fitness levels for the final but I think there is a good chance away to Hearts we will see quite a few more academy lads.

Lowry came on and was very good. Played 3 fantastic through balls, if it wasn't for Amad going needlessly early Lowry would have gotten an assist. I Genuinely can't emphasis how good Lowry's vision and technique is. King has amazing ability on the ball and was great on the ball today again. He didn't have much to do defensively but what he had to do, he did well. Played the last 25 minutes at LB and almost got an assist after putting in a wonderful cross. King like Hickey is that 2 footed you can't tell which is his dominant foot. Both seem ready to me and I can see them as part of the rotation next season. King will probably be 4th choice CB behind Souttar and whoever else is there. Lowry will probably see more game time. I think Lowry will probably end up Hagi's backup, as Aribo and Ramsey probably won't be there. Injuries aside I'll be genuinely shocked if Lowry or King don't end up as Scotland Internationals eventually. Both have that level you can just tell they will be special. Device. He did all right, I'm not sure how he'll fair tbh. I think he's a few years off it. Will probably end up out on loan next year in the championship. Hopefully continue his progression and get a loan to the Prem the year after.

King, McLaughlin and Wright started today for Rangers. Devine and Lowry have come on with 25 minutes to go.

Honestly I can see trouble happening. There will be a lot less cretins than in Manchester sue to the cost and ease of travel but there will still probably end up atleast 30000-50000 Rangers fans so you'll still get quite a few bams. If Rangers were playing a team liepzig with few fans it would probably pass without massive trouble (probably just the usual shite). The problem is Frankfurt have a massive and very passionate fan base, who are also mental. Basically I can see a big brawl happening regardless of who wins. Hopefully it passes without much trouble and both just get pissed together. I'd say Frankfurt are slight favourites, they have some very good players. Rangers have a good chance but I was more confident against Zenit in 2018 and they walked through us. This Rangers side is a better pressing and attacking unit than that ultra defensive Rangers side that anti footballed our way there.

One of their suites is named after Seville I wonder how long it would take for that to renamed or decommissioned. Seville may about to become a non word to Celtic like Rangers and Old firm Derby. Sevco/the opposition and the Glasgow Derby, I wonder what Seville will become? The blood orange cup?

He's got more chance of playing for England than he has playing for us. We have Robertson, Tierney, Hickey and Taylor is a solid enough back up. Not exactly desperate for a guy who ditched us at youth level.

McLaughlin is solid in the sense of decent with the ball at his feet and can come for a cross or corner. Outside of that I'm not sure he has the quality to be Scotland or Rangers number 1. I worry a bit when Gordon eventually retires from Scotland duty, what our goalkeeping situation will be like.

Definitely worth a call up to see how he fairs. Good player and covers the 2 positions in LB and CB.

There was another one miles offside when kyogo was through but Bassey caught him. I believe handball rules are point of contact not where you body is. There is actually a decision that isn't getting talked about aswell and that is Taylor's goal. Kyogo is offside and in McLaughlin's field of vision. Is he interfering enough to chalk the goal off, I'm not sure. But it would have definitely gone to a VAR review.

Stephen Caldwell doing commentary is unlucky for us all not just Ryan.

He's Argentinan who's recently switched to Armenia due to parentage. He was very well thought of in his early 20s and was a star in Mexico for years. Good player.

It was Kamara more than Wright tbh. Kamara is the complete opposite player of Jack and it completely disjointed the midfield. You're right though it should have been Lowry over Wright. Much closer in style and role to Ramsey than Wright.

I mean my pick for Rangers manager before Gio got the job was Knudtsen, so if Gio fails and leaves. I'd try for Knudtsen. Guys is the perfect manager for a club wanting to pick up cheaper players to develop and bring through youth, while playing good football. I'll be shocked if Lowry isn't part of the midfield rotation next season. If he isn't then he will probably run his contract down and leave for free. Another promising lad to watch, that has benefitted massively from men's football with the B team is the LB Fraser. Probably not next season but the one after that, I can see him being part of Rangers main team (as back up to Bassey).

Hickey had a great game at RWB today. He almost scored a beauty of a goal. Hickey Backheeled a through ball to Arnautovic, then ran on. Hickey got the ball back cut in on his man just outside the 6 yard box and curled it just past the far post. For Bologna's first goal Hickey whiped in a swerving far post cross. The left wingback got to it and passed it across for a tap in. I have to say Hickey is a fantastic technical player. He may not be fully there yet physically but in 2/3 years, I can definitely see Hickey being talked about as a top 10 LWB or RWB. You have to say well done to the lad on backing himself. He knew he wouldn't get gametime at Bayern and wanted to play week in and out at a higher level. 90% of kids his age would have taken the easy money and facilities at Bayern over potential first team football at Bologna.

He did well. He wasn't really tested defensively but on the ball he was great. Very, very good technically and a good range of passing, probablyon par with if not better than Goldson in that regard. It's a shame he's only 5'11/6 foot. If he was 6'2/3 he'd probably have played about 20/30+ games for Rangers by now. He is more than ready and should be a squad player next season along with Lowry (he was injured today). My only fear is King will be held back until he either grows or fills out. Under 6ft as a CB in Scotland is very small. I hope I'm wrong and he gets his chance and becomes a part of our CB rotation next season.

McKenna will probably do well in the EPL. A left footed CB with pace, strength and technique is a commodity down south. He is also 25 and a few years off his prime. He and Worall have been eyed from Prem moves this season.

I think he'll be off in the summer. No news about him signing a pro deal and haven't seen him in many Rangers u18 squads recently.

From what I've seen he's good on the ball, strong with a bit of pace but is rash and sadly a grade A fud.