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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Blair Meikle

Rangers chief on double coup and reveals loan plans in place for several youngsters

David McCallum (Image: Rangers TV)

David McCallum has revealed a bit about how Rangers have handed the development of young duo Ashton Scally and Kyle Glasgow.

It was seen as coup for the Ibrox club to tie the teenage pair down on professional deals given they had extensive interest from clubs down south. It was a change from the current norm of Scottish clubs seeing their talented youngsters heading to England before even getting a sniff of the first-team.

Former Rangers head coach Danny Rohl was a big fan of left-back Scally and midfielder Glasgow and had them involved with the first-team.

Interim head of academy McCallum explained how the club had always been looking to challeenge both players by moving them up age levels.

He told Rangers TV: "We began our plan for Ashton quite early on in the season. He had barely just turned 15 and we were looking at what the season ahead would look like. We built a schedule so that he had the school program, which was really important because he was still doing his National 5s at the time. We ensured that was supported and given the right timing and development space.

"At the same time, as an U17, we felt he needed a bit more of a challenge. So, we built a schedule so he could get some U19 exposure. In that time, he also gets some exposure to the first team because it just becomes that point where we don't want to have a glass ceiling where they can't reach. If they can get to it, the manager was well aligned and wants to provide opportunities. Kyle Glasgow was the same too. I’m pleased from a club point of view that we've worked that bit of business.


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"Ashton gets that debut at 16 in the last game against Falkirk. But at that point, it was about giving him the opportunity, the exposure, and balancing school, his training program with the U19s and U17s was very much individualisd. We did the same with Kyle and some of the others in those spaces as well."

McCallum has also been pleased with the results of the cooperation loan agreements Rangers had last season, with Paul Nsio and Lewis Stewart picking up player of the year awards at Raith Rovers and Alloa Athletic, and other young players benefiting.

He also revealed plans are already in place for where to send some other young players for next season.

He added: "It's massive. It is a big jump. Some will do it directly. The most topical one right now is Findlay Curtis; he didn't go initially on a loan experience. He was finding himself in the first-team squad and picking up minutes over the last year or two. Then, this season, it was decided it was the right time to go and pick up a loan experience at a high levela, obviously at a first-team level in the Premier League. So, he's taken a different way.

"Others might have to go on loan sooner. You're looking athe cooperation loans, they've ben really positive. You look at Lewis Stewart picking up Player of the Year awards, Paul Nsio doing the same at Raith Rovers. There are constant conversations and people that speak to them at their loan games consistently, they want to talk about out players. That is about building the profile and building that talk so people get to a point of asking, 'What's next for them?'

"That's what we've started to do already. We've not waited until the end of the season; we've started our plans and looked at what next season would look like for individuals in those spaces now. So, when we get to pre-season, we don't wait to find out; we're almost at that stage before it happens."

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