On an evening in which Kemar Roofe bid farewell to life at Ibrox – another of those title-winning veterans saying goodbye – Philippe Clement offered a tantalising glimpse at the potential of Rangers‘ next generation.
Ross McCausland, the breakthrough star one of the high points of a promising first campaign under the Belgian, netted only his second Scottish Premiership goal in Tuesday’s enthralling 5-2 comeback victory over Dundee at Ibrox.
The 21-year-old winger, by Clement’s admission, trained only ‘five times with the first-team’ last season. McCausland’s rapid emergence – from youth-teamer to senior regular in the blink of an eye – is a certainly an inspiration for the likes of Robbie Fraser and Cole McKinnon, both of whom came off the bench vs Tony Docherty’s side, as they aim to follow in the Northern Irishman’s footsteps in 2024/25.
Rangers youngsters impress in Dundee comeback
“It is not that suddenly they come falling out of the sky and they can play this position and can play in the team and they know where to run or what to do,” Clement said after a win which keeps Rangers’ admittedly slim hopes of securing the Premiership title alive.
“We are working from October, from the first day (I was appointed), on the integration of all the young lads. We are busy with that, also for next season and also guys who are not in the selection today to get them into the squad. It is an important thing.
“They have been training a lot with us to get the principles, to understand the demand in the first team.”
Johnly Yfeko was part of Clement’s matchday squad on Tuesday, while Leon King made a rare start in the injury-enforced absence of Connor Goldson and Leon Balogun.
The former Monaco boss has also opened up on McKinnon’s potential emergence as an option at right-back, even if he accepts that the Scotland Under 21 international is more comfortable in a midfield role.
“Cole trained several times as right full-back. It is not something new for him, but I know his best position is in midfield,” adds Clement, cover maybe required on the right with Dujon Sterling adapting excellently to his more advanced role on the wing.
“We need sometimes to plan in advance to find solutions, and (McKinnon) needs to do that in training. For example, Ross McCausland last season trained five times with the first team.
“Five training (sessions) with the first team!”
A new role for Ibrox starlet Cole McKinnon
For Clement, the key word here is ‘integration’.
“It is not like suddenly Cole McKinnon or Robbie Fraser need to play with (James) Tavernier next to them. They have so many times in the dressing room together, so many times on the training pitch together that they feel comfortable with them,” the 50-year-old says.
“The other guys also, they know the qualities (of the youngsters). We are going to continue with that. It is a major part. We said this club comes out of a financial difficult situation and it is not a good situation to have six players out of contract so they don’t have any value to sell and then you need to make decisions if they stay or not.
“The club needs for the future to get also money in by producing or making players better, getting young players in and to make them better to sell them. Also for sure out of the academy making players who can be starters in the first-team.
“That needs to be a model that we will build the next couple of years, it is not the work of one week, two weeks, six months, or even one year or two years.
“It is an important thing and it was important we gave chances to Ross to be a symbol of the Academy and out of that Cole, Robbie and Johnly and the others, they feel it is also possible and it gives belief. That is what they are showing. Does it mean they are ready to start every game and to play every game? Not yet. But I hope they are going to challenge all the others.
“For me it is not important how old somebody is.”
Rangers, playing their penultimate game of a gruelling Premiership season in midweek, delayed Celtic’s celebrations, albeit maybe for only 24 hours.
Brendan Rodgers’ side, fresh from Saturday’s Old Firm derby victory, can clinch another domestic title with a win away at Kilmarnock tonight.
“That needs to be a model that we will build the next couple of years, it is not the work of one week, two weeks, six months, or even one year or two years.
“It is an important thing and it was important we gave chances to Ross to be a symbol of the Academy and out of that Cole, Robbie and Johnly and the others, they feel it is also possible and it gives belief. That is what they are showing. Does it mean they are ready to start every game and to play every game? Not yet. But I hope they are going to challenge all the others.
“For me it is not important how old somebody is.”
Rangers, playing their penultimate game of a gruelling Premiership season in midweek, delayed Celtic’s celebrations, albeit maybe for only 24 hours.
Brendan Rodgers’ side, fresh from Saturday’s Old Firm derby victory, can clinch another domestic title with a win away at Kilmarnock tonight.
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