21 Sep 2021 10:08:35
A lot of talk about Gerrard not giving young players a chance.
Players have to be of a high standard to get a game for Rangers.
We aren't a breeding ground for young talent like a Hamilton Accies where nothing is at stake on a weekly basis.
We aren't a Dortmund, Benfica or Ajax who have high reputations within the game for developing and bringing through young talent on a consistent basis.
Over the last 35 years, the amount of talent that has broken through has been very limited with only a select few playing over a hundred games for Rangers.
Others have forged a decent career elsewhere.
Ian Durrant broke through at 18 years old under Jock Wallace before becoming a regular the following season ( 1986 - 1987 ) under Souness.
A 20 year old Robert Fleck also played 44 times that season, scoring a total of 19 goals.
Durrant's midfield partner was a young Derek Ferguson.
All 3 never had the Rangers careers their talents possibly deserved for a variety of reasons.
The following season ( 1987-1988 ) the Souness revolution was in full swing with only Nisbett breaking through from the youths as Rangers splashed the cash in big name imports.
Between 1988 and 1997 ( the Souness and Smith 9IAR era ) only Sandy Robertson ( Souness branded him the best young midfielder in Britain - he ended up only playing 26 times for Rangers ) , John Spencer, Gary McSwegan, Neil Murray, Craig Moore and Charlie Miller.
I've only included players who played more than 10 games a season. That's 6 players in 9 years.
Next up was the start of the Advocaat revolution. Big money again being spent in 1998-1999, though both Barry Ferguson and Scott Wilson broke through. Though we did sell Rino Gattuso!
Between 1999-2001 seasons, no one broke through.
In the 2001-2002 season, Maurice Ross and Stephen Hughes both broke through.
Again I've only included players who played more than 10 games in a season. So that's 4 players in 3 seasons.
Next up was McLeish in 2002-2003 and Bob Malcolm broke through.
In the 2003-2004, both Chris Burke and Alan Hutton broke through.
Between 2004-2006 seasons no one broke through.
Again I've only included players who played 10 games in a season. So that's 3 players in 4 years.
We then began the Paul Le Guen era, 2006-2007 season, Alan McGregor broke through. 1 player under Le Guen's tenure.
Season 2007-2008 saw Sir Walter back in charge. Time for Charlie Adam to break through.
Season 2008-2009 saw John Fleck break through. Season 2009-2010 saw Danny Wilson break through. Season 2010-2011 and Jamie Ness broke through.
Now it was the turn of Super Ally in Season 2011-2012 and Greg Wylde broke through.
Now it was time to climb back through the leagues. An ideal opportunity to blood a mixture of youngsters and experienced pros?
Season 2012-2013 saw Andrew Little, Lewis MacLeod, Kyle Hutton, Ross Perry, Barrie McKay and Fraser Aird all break through. Remember though this was the Scottish 3rd Division.
Season 2013-2014 saw Robbie Crawford break through.
Season 2014-2015 saw failure as we finished 3rd in the Championship. Andy Murdoch broke through.
Now it was Mark Warburton's turn. Seasons 2015-2017. No one broke through.
And we are now onto Pedro Caixinha. Season 2017-2018 and Ross McCrorie was the only one.
Next up it was Gerrard's turn. 2018-Present. Glen Middleton and Nathan Patterson have broken through.
This is only players who have came through the Rangers youths.
That's a total of 33 players in 36 years.
Not exactly a conveyor belt of talent.
With only Durrant, Derek Ferguson ( outstanding before falling out with Souness ) , Barry Ferguson, Moore, Hutton, McGregor and Patterson ( if he continues his progress ) being successful.
7 players in my eyes who were a hit out of 33 players!


1.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 10:26:07
Bloody hell mate! And breathe! 🤣🤣
I'm going to get myself a coffee and read that when I can grab a quick 10 minutes.


2.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 10:30:10
Took me 2 days of research😂😂
Even I was needing a shave by 2003!😂😂.


3.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 10:36:20
You mean hr BMG lol great post as usual potatoe
Have you ever thought of writing a book?
“” Terry Munro … where is he now “””.


4.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 11:17:02
Great post MrPH.
We talk if we can get a player through a year, so average, reasonable.
However as u point out some were simply not good enough in lower leagues.
Hopefully we see Paterson, Williamson, Kelly and Mccrorie playing regularly next couple off years.
The b team have three or four who have a massive chance as well next three years IMO.
The standard has improved at that level under gerrard, look at Scotland and Ireland age group teams.
Also as someone mentioned this year players released at that level have moved to Celtic, derby, Watford, Birmingham so they must have something.


5.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 11:34:58
MPH, I feel sorry for your employer!


6.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 11:42:55
Bob Malcolm and Jamie Ness evidence of Rangers' youth system working.

I've heard it all now.


7.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 11:43:45
100% agree John25.
It's too easy to say give youth a chance.
But they have to be as good if not better than what's already in the first 11 / squad.
And it's also a lot of responsibility on young shoulders to make them the first teams "saviour" if it's underperforming.
But as you have said we seem to now be getting our house in order regarding the youths and fingers crossed it benefits the club long term.


8.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 12:02:24
Rfcrb Bob Malcolm came through our youth system and playe over 100 games for first team.
Because he was not great does not mean youth system did not produce him.


9.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 12:11:47
MPH great post 🇦🇺🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⚽️👍.


10.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 12:13:31
Who said Bob Malcolm or Jamie Ness were a success RFCrb?
I said I've counted players who represented Rangers more than 10 times in a single season.
And he isn't in my list of 7 actual successes for the club.


11.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 12:21:24
Shhhhhhh🤫, DK19.
My boss's boss is sitting 2 desks in front of me!
Thankfully due to office restrictions no one is near me. 😎.


12.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 12:34:06
Great post as always MPH.


13.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 12:42:05
For some reason there are a few posters on here (always the same ones) who were/ are always pushing for certain youth players to get a chance, when the stark reality is that the vast majority of them were/ are, and never were/ are going to be good enough. It's that simple! Many more youth players will fail to make the grade than those who will make it. Unfortunately that's how it is!
As a club, Rangers will never be in a position where they will have time to bed in youth players into the first team and give them regular playing time. They don't have that luxury. Could you imagine the fan reaction If that was the route they went down? I always laugh when fans said that the ideal time for this was when Ally was in charge in the lower divisions. That's all very well saying that, but could you imagine the uproar If we never won promotion in our first season in the lowest league? There would have been hell to pay!
So, as MPH's post proved, this has been a common trend for decades now and will it continue to be. You would think we would have got used to it by now?


14.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 12:46:56
I'm sure i remember when murray Park was first opened someone said if we get a strong 1st team player once every 10 years it would be worth it - or something like that?


15.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 13:05:27
Superb post MPH, and thanks for the detailed info.


16.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 13:08:30
Good post mph
I remember Souness saying that he would be very happy with one player a year breaking through from the youth system.

Is Derek Ferguson still the youngest player to play for our 1st team?


17.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 13:35:49
Brilliant post. Thanks for the research. Would love to see more youth given chance. To those that say need to be as good as 1st team tho that would be great but that should also apply to signings. The fact we signed about 10-15 players a season in the last few years says a lot about the recruitment. It's always a gamble but I'd rather have a youth player on the fringes who may not become a 1st X1 than some of the poor squad players we've signed. Give me a Murdoch Mackay or Ness over a Grezda Pena or Flannigan any day. Also gives belief to others they have a chance.


18.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 13:43:14
BMG a very good and balanced response.
I remember well when ally was getting stick for not playing youth dazeil said not one off them would make the grade for rangers in top league. He was proved correct.
Where r they all now.


19.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 13:45:55
Three cheers yes re derek Ferguson.


20.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 13:56:51
Another good post Mr PH, like reading your stats very informative well done.


21.) 21 Sep 2021
21 Sep 2021 15:29:58
Cheers John just googled his age and he was 16y 24days old on his competitive debut.