I think we probably have the players more than we think but we rarely give them a chance to play properly. 15-20mins here and there is of no use to a developing player at those stages when they need to really get a chance to find their feet in matches and where they may fit into our team.
Obvs the loan option is what is meant to fill that in the absence of us doing it but really Im not convinced they get any more opportunity at other Scottish Clubs than they could or should with Rangers. At least with us itd be more productive with a view to them eventually playing for us.
Ive long thought we underutilise fixtures like Cup ties where we draw Lower League clubs or even a good few SPFL games when we are at home against one of the poorer sides. For example, Ross County or Dundee at home. In these low risk games Id be happy to see some of the younger players given a start, let them play and see what happens.
Ultimately the few players we have brought through to play for us have been given game time at Rangers, I cant think of any that went on loan elsewhere and have come back from there ready to play. So what exactly is the point?
Do you reckon we should start games with ten players plus one from the academy each game?
Would Hearts or Motherwell qualify as “poorer sides”?
We have a very unique situation in Scotland where every point is treasured and every one dropped is a calamity.
We have dropped points in only four games this season but find ourselves only six points ahead.
The next point I’d mention is the perception that some teams seem to raise their game against us but don’t find the same motivation against other opponents.
Can we afford to go into each game under strength and put ourselves under pressure from the first minute?
We’ve all seen how our support can react when we’re not two up after half an hour.
Should we expose our youth players to that level of pressure?
There was a discussion recently about the Ajax “model” where they’d break up a successful side, sell off the assets, and start again, full in the knowledge that there’d be a few barren seasons.
Would our support accept this?
A support that sees a draw as a calamitous?
One of our biggest problems is one of our great achievements.
Our world record trophy haul.
Would we forsake that to give youth a chance?
Remembering where that record will be heading?
I don’t have the answers here, just the questions and just my opinions.
I’d love to see a Rangers team where even a quarter of them are homegrown.
However, I’m not sure I’d want the barren years Ajax fans seem to accept.
The old adage “plan for the worst and hope for the best” doesn’t sit too easily with me where football is concerned.