With it looking likely that academy director Zeb Jacobs is on the way out, how successful has Rangers youth academy been this season?
The answer, unfortunately, is not very. In terms of players coming through, the likes of Leon King, Zak Lovelace, Ross McCausland, Cole McKinnon and Bailey Rice have all had at least some minutes this season.
However, when you break it down, Lovelace only came into the fold because of the amount of injuries. He then got injured himself! Which is the reason that McCausland broke through and he’s been consistently involved since then.
The issue is, he’s been the only one. King and Rice, after last season, potentially felt they would be involved more. Between them this season though, they have played a total of twenty-six minutes.
There are deep rooted issues within the academy. Considering Rangers have the best facilities in the country, the club don’t seem to be developing enough players that can contribute to the first team.
Lack of Minutes For Youth Players
Let’s have a look at the minutes players that have come from the B team have played this season;
- Ross McCausland – 1,667 Minutes
- Zak Lovelace – 47 Minutes
- Cole McKinnon – 23 Minutes
- Bailey Rice – 13 Minutes
- Leon King – 9 Minutes
A grand total of 1,759 between the clubs brightest prospects. Considering the money that is put into the facilities and coaching, that isn’t good enough. At this rate and over the last few years, the academy has been a massive waste of money.
Who’s fault is this though? The B team was pulled from the Lowland League last summer and what has happened since then? The supposed ‘Best vs Best’ fixtures were implemented.
These numbers are absolutely damning for the decision to go this way. These promising youngsters, the future of the club, have played nine games since the beginning of the year, NINE! That is even more embarrassing than the number of minutes played by youth players this season.
There has to be a way to keep these lads playing. Even if there were more first team opportunities, going by their fixture list, the players wouldn’t be match fit!
How Can Rangers Change The Pathway?
There isn’t a simple answer to this unfortunately. However, it could start by actually using the young lads that are often on the bench in the last fifteen/twenty minutes of games. When Rangers are two or three goals up, what’s the harm in giving them the opportunity?
That is something that hasn’t happened this season but could be an easy solve. It would let the manager see the players at a higher level than in B team games. That’s the only way you can truly know if a player is ready, give them a chance.
It happened for Ross McCausland and now, at worst, he’s a very solid squad rotation option. Some of the youngsters may not be good enough but how can you really know if they’re never given a chance?
Not every player coming out of the youth academy will be Barry Ferguson, he’s a once in a generation level player. That doesn’t mean fans shouldn’t be expecting to see more Maurice Ross or Stephen Hughes level players though.
Squad rotation options should be able to come from the academy, since it’s supposed to be ‘best in class’. Even that is a rarity now though.
The Lack of Use in The Loan Market
Now, not every loan spell will work out, look at Alex Lowry this season. His move to Hearts was seen by many to be the perfect move for him to develop. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way and he’s been back at Rangers since January.
Look at Adam Devine though, he got a loan move to Motherwell in January and has impressed there. There seems to be an unwillingness to try multiple loans in a season. If they weren’t going to be used regularly then why weren’t Leon King and Cole McKinnon loaned out this season?
I understand it still for Bailey Rice, because he is still only seventeen after all. However, McKinnon is twenty-one and King is twenty, why weren’t they loaned out?
If they had played more first team minutes, not loaning them out would have made sense, however they have played a grand total of thirty-two minutes between them.
The club needs to start utilising the loan market more if we aren’t willing to give young players first team exposure.
Conclusion
If Zeb Jacobs does leave, from the outside, it doesn’t seem like much has changed for the academy. It really is an area of the club which needs ripped out and started again. Will the new academy director be the one to do that?
One thing is clear, the B team need to play more games next season. Nine matches since January is unacceptable when you’re trying to develop youngsters.
Rangers use of the loan market also needs to be looked at. Loan spells can work for players, especially those who are supposed to be the most promising at the club. Continually playing against youth players isn’t going to help them progress.
What would you suggest is the best way to approach the pathway to the first team? Do you have faith that the club can turn it around?
If you haven’t already, check out our YouTube channel here.
You can check out all of our other articles here.
It really shambolic the way our kids are being treated and so disappointing.
I couldnt understand why King wasn’t loaned out. You don’t progress watching games. It’s crazy.
…And why withdraw the B Team from the Lowland League, and have the youngsters watching more than playing?
They believed the old reserve league was outdated and expensive, it would be better than the present regression.