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At last I can get back to watching games again, by the month of August I would normally have been to quite a few games, but with the authorities taking their time in granting our license all games were on hold. The blog is now in its fifth season and hopefully it fills a wee gap in terms of news on the youth teams.

Last season was disappointing with the under 19′s finishing fifth and going out of the youth cup in our first game against a poor Dundee United side. The under 17′s finished the season on a high, winning the Glasgow Cup on penalties against Celtic.

Not sure of the structure of the blog for the new season, with Rangers demotion to division 3 we wouldn’t have been in the SPL U19 League, but that league has been scrapped and replaced with a new U20 league with a few 1st divison clubs included. As far as I can gather Rangers will not be allowed to play in this league either, so it is likely we will play in the SFL Reserve League , SFL U19 League, or both.

I’m not convinced the change to U20 will work, the gap from U17 to U20 is pretty big for most players and with three over age players allowed, a lot of  younger players could struggle to get game time at their clubs. I would have scrapped U15′s and U17′s and made U16′s and U18′s dual age groups and therefore narrowing the gap to U20′s.

Once again there have been a few additions added over the summer, with a batch from last season’s Under 15′s stepping up. Rangers may decide to enter the SFL U17′s League and use these fixtures to give these younger players game time this season.

With the club’s current situation the youth setup is even more important and there is a real opportunity for any young player with the ability and desire to grab their chance. With Barrie McKay, Lewis McLeod and Robbie Crawford from last year’s youths already appearing in the first team hopefully a few more can push on.

The recruitment of older youth players could have  been better, last season’s recruits from English clubs were disappointing and by the season’s end none of them were in the youth side. Another concern was the number of players recruited for development fees that were subsequently released before they even made the youth team. In the past year this category was touching double figures. This is two areas where we really have to expect better value when we are in a position to invest again.

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 fixtures for the first have of this season are on the link below:-

2012_201313 Development Fixtures

 

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.

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.

66 Responses to “Home”

  1. allan walker Says:

    I’ve supported rangers all my life and I’ve just gave up coaching a team called salvesen boys club which I had 2 players from my team go up to Murray. Park the players were jay Doyle. And dean Carr dean is now playing with berwick. rangers but I still take in some games and I would like to do some scouting for the club in the Edinburgh area. As I’ve got my disclosure. And 3 coatching certificate thanks for reading my E mail

  2. Miguel evora Says:

    Good afternoon was wondering if someone could tell me what days are available in glasgow rangers inflows under 18′m Portuguese and I live for scotland …

  3. peter stoney Says:

    My boy is Danny stoney

  4. elfideldo Says:

    The only contact I am aware of would be through the club website

  5. Alan Shanks Says:

    Is there an email contact.

  6. elfideldo Says:

    Auchenhowie Road
    Milngavie
    Glasgow
    G62 6EJ

  7. Alan Shanks Says:

    Has anyone got an idea of the email address to contact Murray park directly? Many thanks.

  8. Barry Gray Says:

    Try make it , will be a great day ,see a great footballing side .

  9. elfideldo Says:

    Wish I’d known earlier, don’t think I will make it.

  10. Barry Gray Says:

    U13s taken part in tournament ,sunday 13th at stennie ,dundee utd ,everton &others ,cmom the wee bears

  11. Moses Ashikodi Says:

    Keep up the good work mate. I was wondering how Glody Ntumba was getting on and do you think Burrows will eventually be in the 1st team?

  12. elfideldo Says:

    I generally only find out about games the week before. Last weekend was the last scheduled week before the new year. The 15′s play Hibs on Saturday in a friendly, other teams play Aberdeen on Sunday in games that were postponed. I believe all teams play Hamilton the following week in friendlies, I haven’t heard anything about games v St.Mirren, yet.

  13. James Says:

    Under 15,s play St. Mirren sometime early in December any info on this.Thanks

  14. scott Says:

    No probs, keep up the good work!great site.

  15. elfideldo Says:

    Sorry about that, thanks for the correction and I’ll get it right from now on

  16. scott Says:

    Hi, just to update some info on the u14′s , player Dean Pitchen’s surname is actually Dean Picken.just for future reference thanks.

  17. elfideldo Says:

    Thanks for the info, I’ll update and know for any future reports.

  18. Azo Says:

    the Jay???? in the Under 14′s is Jay Willis and he signed in June 2012 from Musselburgh Windsor 99′s he’s left mid/striker who got Man of the Tournament Award for the Scottish Cup 2011/12.

  19. elfideldo Says:

    Hi John, If you give me a bit of time I’ll look at this. I’ll list the players I know that have been through Murray Park and broke into first team at both Rangers and other clubs.

  20. john webster Says:

    how many players have moved up to senior ranks from murray park i would include young who have recenly been given starts in div.3 games if possible give names but if not numbers will do
    john webster

  21. elfideldo Says:

    Hi Alan you would have to contact the club directly, this is just a fan’s blog and does not have any official connection.

  22. alan thomson Says:

    Hi there i have two young boys 9 and 11 .
    They have recently played with crookston utd unfortunatly they never enjoyed their time there and are looking for another club.
    I was wondering if rangers could maybee offer anything to further there developement .
    I would be grateful if you could help with information as to where they ciuld go next .
    Many thanks …

  23. Judith Marshall Says:

    Blair Docherty signed for Rangers under 14,s in July his first game was against Falkirk, thanks for the update.

  24. elfideldo Says:

    Thanks for the info, post now updated.

  25. Judith Marshall Says:

    The missing name on the rangers under 14′s who played at murray park on the 28th July against Falkirk is Blair Docherty.

  26. elfideldo Says:

    I believe they lost 1-0 in the final

  27. Clive Says:

    cheers Elfid, will let you know if I find out.

  28. elfideldo Says:

    I only know they play Torino in the final, they won three and drew two of their previous games. Been trying to find more details online but no luck so far.

  29. Clive Says:

    Anyone know which tournament in italy the U14s have gone to?

  30. millsy Says:

    both 15s and 17s 11am kick off stirling uni

  31. elfideldo Says:

    As I said in my previous reply Sunday’s game against Falkirk is at Stirling University. No details on game beyond this week yet.

  32. md Says:

    Falkirk sun 11am where is it played ? Then celtic may 5th wheres that played, sorry to be a pain but dont wanna turn up n not get in.

  33. Craig Says:

    Any views on the Dail Record article highlighting stars of the future? You have previously mentioned Mackay, Gallagher, Mcleod, Witorski – are these guys continuing to perform and are more coming through? Thanks

    Replied by e-mail

  34. Chic Sharp Says:

    Hi there!

    I used to go over regularly to Auchenhowie while it was being built and have to say from the outside it looks great! I have some practical questions to raise and would be grateful for answers:

    I took great pride in forking out hard earned cash at Ibrox for those Auchenhowie vouchers helping to pay for Auchenhowie and having read the site cost in the region of £13m to build and costing around £3m to maintain I was wondering what was the total money collected at Ibrox prior to games and how it fitted with the financing of our training ground. I did call Rangers re this and was put through to John Greig who answered “how the f**k should I know?”. I hung up naturally!

    Also, wouldn’t it make sense to allow fans perimeter access at Auchenhowie to watch the players train and to see the youngsters play for a relatively small sum of say £5 – wouldn’t that a) help with our finances and b) create a better bond and sense of inclusion?

    There are parts of Auchenhowie where the wind kicks up a fair bit – seems to me that as it costs so much to maintain the site electricity would be a part of that and that a small wind turbine there would pay for itself in quick time! I did write to Ibrox about the idea for our Stadium and got a polite but dismissive letter back.

    Apparently if we don’t qualify for the group stages of the CL we are running over budget by around £10m so isn’t it time to utilise all our assets?

    One last question. I recall a group of 3 or 4 business men (pals of D Murray) forking out something like £10m for the rights of the sell on value of our best young players – they were supposed to pay for a big part of their upkeep too – what happened to that scheme?

    Thanks in advance.

    Replied by e-mail

  35. elfideldo Says:

    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

  36. symey1 Says:

    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.

  37. elfideldo Says:

    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.

  38. ulster scot Says:

    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

  39. elfideldo Says:

    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.

  40. Iain Houston Says:

    Delighted to see you doing reports,where possible, on the youunger age groups. This gives the boys a buzz .

  41. Jim Purdie Says:

    my son plays for the under 15s calum craig .

  42. elfideldo Says:

    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

  43. Simmon Says:

    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.

  44. elfideldo Says:

    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

  45. Kenneth Says:

    Great site. Have you ever considered twittering the matches live? I’m sure that would be appreciated by many more than me.

  46. Jon Says:

    Reserves playing Bulgaria today at Murray Park. I shall be there watching and will update.

  47. albertz11 Says:

    Aaron didn’t sign as far as i’m aware and is trying his luck in Finland.

  48. Hutchie Says:

    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!

  49. Shaka Says:

    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?

  50. Alan Wyllie Says:

    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.

  51. John Millar Says:

    Pics from last night:-

    http://millarpictures.photoshelter.com/gallery/Stirling-Albion-v-Rangers-120711/G00001Y9Zmd2Ylvg/

  52. Ross Says:

    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.

  53. Canaryboy Says:

    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.

  54. Canaryboy Says:

    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

  55. elfideldo Says:

    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.

  56. Hutchie Says:

    We have signed Aaron McGregor…. Any details on him?

  57. elfideldo Says:

    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.

  58. Hutchie Says:

    Elfi, stick your neck on the line, who’s going to be the next youngster break into the first team?

  59. elfideldo Says:

    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.

  60. Hutchie Says:

    The twins, are there high hopes for these two? Or is one better than the other?

    Great site by the way!

  61. elfideldo Says:

    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.

  62. Hutchie Says:

    Any new recruits?

  63. elfideldo Says:

    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.

  64. Rab Says:

    What pre season fixtures are the Under 19′s looking at this season with exception to Stirling albion and Camuslang Rangers?

    Cheers,

    Rab.

  65. elfideldo Says:

    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.

  66. ulster scot Says:

    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 ?

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