Rangers’ Scottish Core Rebuild: A Long-Term Vision
Rangers are focused on re-establishing a strong Scottish foundation within the club by nurturing homegrown talent and recruiting players from outside.
Nils Koppen is set to prioritize Scottish signings in every transfer window, adding to recent recruits like Connor Barron, who joined last summer, and Lyall Cameron, who is set to arrive once his Dundee contract expires.
While enhancing the quality of players emerging from the Rangers academy is a key objective, it will require time. The strategy isn’t just about developing young talents for the first team but also about creating valuable assets for future sales.
Lessons from the Past: Lewis MacLeod and Gordon Strachan’s Vision
Liam MacLeod never fully realized his potential at Rangers, despite earning praise from then-Scotland manager Gordon Strachan for his performances in the lower leagues. Strachan, who once promoted MacLeod to the national team for matches against the Republic of Ireland and England, emphasized the importance of giving young players opportunities.
Reflecting on his decision to call up a young Andrew Robertson, Strachan explained:
“If things go well this week, you never know what might happen. Young Andrew Robertson joined us for an afternoon and played in an 11-vs-11 game to work on specific aspects. Afterward, I asked the coaches who stood out, and apart from Scott Brown and James Morrison, he was man of the match. I’m looking forward to seeing MacLeod and working with him.”
What Rangers Can Learn from Strachan’s Approach
Just as Strachan took a chance on Robertson, Rangers’ next manager must determine if Bailey Rice is ready for the step up. The only way to truly assess a young player’s capabilities is by giving them opportunities in high-pressure situations.
Barry Ferguson, who understands the demands of playing for Rangers, should take this chance to integrate Rice into the squad. With domestic games carrying little consequence and a lack of central midfield depth, there’s no better moment to hand him more minutes.
Beyond the crucial Europa League clashes against Athletic Bilbao, key players like Nicolas Raskin should be given rest to manage their workload. Rice has already impressed the likes of Rio Ferdinand and performed under pressure at Old Trafford—signs that he’s more than capable of handling the challenge at Rangers.
