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It’s that time of year again with pre-season games starting and I get to see the new intake of youth players. The blog is now in its fourth season and hopefully it fills a wee gap in terms of news on the youth teams.
I’m getting a feeling of deja vu with another third place finish and losing out in the cup final. Once again it was Celtic that completed the double and we also lost out to them in the Glasgow Cup, losing 1-0 in an Old Firm final. Trophies are not the real measure of a successful youth setup and the integration of more youth players in to a championship winning side was a fantastic achievement.
A significant number of appearances from Gregg Wylde, Kyle Hutton and Jamie Ness contributed to a league cup and championship winning side. With Darren Cole also making his debut in the Champions League, and with first team appearances for both Jordan McMillan and Andy Little it was great to see six graduates from the youths make the first team.
Once again there have been a few additions added over the summer, with all sixteen from last season’s Under 15′s stepping up. We now have big squads at both 17′s and 19′s, which probably means lots of friendlies/bounce games throughout the season, so the blog should be busy. Hopefully we can challenge for the league and cup, but having one or two more pushing for a first team spot would be even better.
The Under 19′s play their home games at Murray Park, with an occasional game played Ibrox. The focus will be on news and reports on this group. Although I will touch on Reserves and the younger sides where possible.
The club starts development games against the other Scottish clubs from Under 11′s, with squads at 12′s, 13′s, 14′s, 15′s and of course 17′s.
The two younger age groups play 7-a-side, with the 12′s moving to 11-a-side after the winter break. They normally play four 7-a-side games across the park, two being played simultaneously. The games are usually played on a Saturday with one age group at home while the other plays the same club away.
Details of the the fixtures for the second half of the season are on the links below, these are of course subject to change.
Performance Tier 11s-14s (March to June 2012)
Performance Tier 15s (March to June 2012)
Performance Tier 16-17s (February to May 2012)
The four older age groups usually play on Sundays, two at home and two away, again against the same club. These games are 11-a-side and usually consist of three 30 minute periods, the under 17′s being the exception, playing the standard 45 minutes each-way, players can come on and off through out. Directions to Murray Park are shown below. Murray Park is situated on Auchenhowie Road.
View Larger Map
No results are recorded or points awarded at any of the age groups, the focus being on (allegedly) player development. The clubs are discouraged from publishing any details/scores from these games. If there is any major news or developments from the younger age groups I’ll post them here.
December 20, 2011 at 1:26 pm
I haven’t, and it looks like he has signed without actually playing any games. Unless he played in one of these games we are not allowed into. If you want to see any of the the fringe players you can watch them at varied locations such as New St.Mirren Park, Corby, Fleetwood and Hamburg but don’t expect to be allowed to see tham at Murray Park, pathetic really.
Not been a great season for the youths so no obvious candidates for promotion, all the 17′s that have played have done well, younger 19′s Barrie McKay, Callum Gallagher and Lewis McLeod have been the best performers with Kamil Wiktorski being the best of the 1993′s
December 20, 2011 at 10:48 am
I was wondering if you had seen the Namibian boy signed yesterday in action? Also, has anyone really caught your eye this season? Still a sore one losing McGeogh.
December 19, 2011 at 1:22 pm
Hi,
Any time I have seen Aaron he has done okay, but so far he has not broke into the 19′s team. He has played in centre midfield any time I have seen him and is more of a destroyer than creator.
Apart from Jamie Harney I don’t know of any other NI lad joining at present, somebody did send me a message via the blog a few weeks ago to say George Gray was joining but I have never seen anything from the club on that. The trialist keeper in the first half of this game was from Ireland not sure if it NI or ROI and I never found out his name.
December 18, 2011 at 10:15 pm
Hi Elfideldo
Was just wondering how Aaron McGregor was getting on, as he hasn’t been called up to any N.I youth squads as of yet – what is he main position anyway ?
Also do you know if any N.I lads have signed for next year ? I heard that Jamie Harney was joining, but not George Gray who was on trial before.
any other N.I boys look likely to join /
thanks in advance for any help you can provide
November 18, 2011 at 7:31 am
This is not an official site, its just a fan’s view. I would suggest you write to the club with details of your current boys club and date. time and venue of your next few games and I would think they would send a scout along to one of them.
October 31, 2011 at 12:36 pm
Delighted to see you doing reports,where possible, on the youunger age groups. This gives the boys a buzz .
October 7, 2011 at 5:56 am
my son plays for the under 15s calum craig .
August 22, 2011 at 3:55 pm
I saw a few of Jamie’s trial games so I wasn’t suprised to see he got a contract. I haven’t seen him play since he signed but hopefully will in the next few weeks
August 22, 2011 at 3:22 pm
Great site. Keep up the good work. How is Jamie Burrows getting on. An English mate was waxing lyrical about him, think he played U19 amateur last season.
August 2, 2011 at 7:56 am
It takes me long enough to scribble a few notes, if I tried to update Twitter on my phone I would miss most of the game
August 1, 2011 at 2:43 pm
Great site. Have you ever considered twittering the matches live? I’m sure that would be appreciated by many more than me.
July 30, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Reserves playing Bulgaria today at Murray Park. I shall be there watching and will update.
July 29, 2011 at 3:45 pm
Aaron didn’t sign as far as i’m aware and is trying his luck in Finland.
July 26, 2011 at 11:46 am
Elfi, I too would like to know about this Aaron Spear I remember hearing about him a few years back when we and Arsenal were chasing him. He chose Newcastle but how did he end up back at Gers and how is the lad doing? Any info would be great!
July 20, 2011 at 4:29 pm
In the last couple of games I noticed a forward Aaron Spear listed. Is this the same guy who was at Newcastle, that was very highly rated and both Scotland and England were chasing to play internationally at youth level? Do you have any details or expectations on his potential?
July 19, 2011 at 11:44 am
Report & pics from the Penicuik v u19s game at the weekend:
http://jamesdickscotland.tripod.com/pafc12/rangers.htm
Incidentally it was Wyllie who hit the post with the back heel not Werdly who was replaced at half time by Wyllie – they do look kind of similar though – and it was Robbie Crawford hit the bar with a nice chip.
July 13, 2011 at 3:11 pm
Pics from last night:-
http://millarpictures.photoshelter.com/gallery/Stirling-Albion-v-Rangers-120711/G00001Y9Zmd2Ylvg/
July 13, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Thanks for the information canaryboy.
I saw Jack play last night and hope that he can continue to improve for us. Looks a solid enough big boy but wasn’t given much service from the Rangers midfield so was up against it for 60 minutes or so he was on the park.
July 8, 2011 at 7:19 pm
had spotted him and recommended him to Rangers Academy Director and he was asked up for a trial. Its a shame to see him leave Norwich, as when I saw him play he looked strong and was a great link up player, who also scored goals. I hope he gets a chance to play games and an injury free season. Please keep me posted re his games. I suggest you read up on him via Norwich website etc and West Ham website.
July 8, 2011 at 7:16 pm
I have heard that one of the trialist at the end of last season has been offered a contract. His name is Jack Werndly and scored in both of his trial games. He is a striker who came through the West Ham United Academy from the age of 11 and was offered a 2 year scholarship by Tony Carr. He had a good start to his first year ending up with an infection in his groin following a cut to his leg and was out for 3 months. At this time he was leading scorer. He came back from injury and scored a few in the closing games. He was then taken on by Norwich City who had an injury problem with strikers and was offered regular starts. He started well, scoring in most games and was progressing well under Ricky Martin until he was fouled off the ball and broke his collar bone, which kept him out for 3 months. Glasgow Rangers ex scout who moved to Norwich City
July 2, 2011 at 10:43 am
Aaron’s signing has been pretty well documented elsewhere. I did see a few of the games he played on trial last season and thought he would be worth a contract. If you type in “Aaron McGregor ” into the search function on the blog it will bring up brief reports on the games he was involved in. He was signed from Ballymena United and I think he will be a first year 19, so his challenge will be to force his way into the 19′s side.
July 1, 2011 at 6:29 am
We have signed Aaron McGregor…. Any details on him?
June 27, 2011 at 9:13 am
Most likely would be one of the players that are now too old for the 19′s. As Darren Cole has already made his first team debut I’ll go for Kane Hemmings.
June 24, 2011 at 3:40 pm
Elfi, stick your neck on the line, who’s going to be the next youngster break into the first team?
June 24, 2011 at 12:28 pm
At the moment I don’t know too much about them, I have only seen them once in the friendly against a Queen’s Park side. The both looked solid defenders with out being spectacular. Once the season gets underway we will have a better idea.
June 24, 2011 at 9:45 am
The twins, are there high hopes for these two? Or is one better than the other?
Great site by the way!
June 23, 2011 at 9:25 am
Only those that have been widely reported, the Skogsrud twins from Man City, Josh Robinson from Linfield and two under 17′s from Northern Ireland, Kris Gibson and Aaron McGregor.
There were a few trialists at the end of last season I don’t know if any were offered contracts.
June 22, 2011 at 5:23 pm
Any new recruits?
June 6, 2011 at 10:14 am
Sorry I don’t have any information reguarding the pre-season games for the Under 19′s. I won’t get any details until the season starts.
June 4, 2011 at 7:12 pm
What pre season fixtures are the Under 19′s looking at this season with exception to Stirling albion and Camuslang Rangers?
Cheers,
Rab.
May 30, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Wayne Drummond was released at the end of the season.
Chris Johns signed a five year contract with Southampton, I think Rangers offered a three year contract.
May 29, 2011 at 7:30 pm
another northern ireland lad, josh robinson, a centre-back from linfield, has signed that makes 6 now I think
Chris hegarty
wayne drummond
andy mitchell
kris gibson
matty clarke
josh robinson.
do you know if the goalkeeper chris johns has also signed ?