In an effort to infuse new life into the Ibrox team, Philippe Clement and Rangers have pledged to shed more youth.
The struggling player trade model of the Gers has garnered a lot of attention lately, but things are starting to change thanks to the club’s new transfer policy and the Ibrox academy.
Three players in the Rangers roster are our picks for more playing time this season since Philipp Clement has pledged to haemorrhage more youthful talent to the team.
Rice Bailey
When Lennon Miller made his 50th appearance against Motherwell, imagine what Rangers midfielder Bailey Rice was thinking.
When Rice signed his first professional contract in the summer of 2022, he decided to go to Ibrox from his midfield partner in the Motherwell academy.
However, although Miller has started to grow quickly, Bailey Rice is still having trouble breaking into the first squad at Ibrox.
Rice has played for the Gers first squad three times, although it seems that both current manager Philippe Clement and former manager Michael Beale have different opinions on his situation there.
Although Rice was a “heck of a player,” according to Beale, and “ready” to play for Rangers at age 16, Clement maintains that the midfielder needs to get better off the ball.
In any case, the 18-year-old is among Rangers’ most widely anticipated prospects, and we predict he will play more minutes this year.
Fraser Robbie
One of Philippe Clement’s boys is Robbie Fraser.
After being given several chances by the Belgian boss in the last campaign, the Ibrox left-back is currently on the outside looking in for the current campaign.
Although Clement turned on the chance to start Fraser against Malmo in Sweden, the Belgian gave the left-back a new contract at the end of the previous campaign.
Rangers now have more competition at left-back, but Robbie Fraser is still a part of Clement’s plans and is still growing at the team.
The 21-year-old will have chances as the season goes on, even though the defence may have to give up on Ridvan Yilmaz or Brazilian left-back Jefte.
McKinnon, Cole
Cole McKinnon made a brief appearance for the Rangers during a pivotal point in the previous campaign.
McKinnon had a great game when he came into the Europa League last 16 match against Benfica, and ever since, the 21-year-old has been in and out of the team.
McKinnon, who has also received vocal support from Philippe Clement, debuted at Rangers at the close of the 21/22 season after spending time on loan at Partick Thistle.
Although the offensive midfielder faces intense competition to make the Rangers roster, McKinnon still has time and hope to succeed.
We believe that if the midfielder is genuine about having a long-term effect at Ibrox, opportunities will present themselves later in the season, and he will need to seize them.
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