Rangers UEFA Youth League Squad

I thought I would do a write up on Rangers UEFA Youth League squad ahead of Monday’s draw. First of all a brief explanation of player eligibility, before the start of the tournament clubs can register a squad of up to 40 players. This squad list can be altered seven days before a game. The general rule is players must be born on or after 1st January 2001, there is an exception to this and each club can register five players born on or after 1st January 2000. So in effect an under 19 tournament with five under 20 players in a 40 man registration list.

By midnight before games a maximum of a 20 player squad is named, this can include a maximum of three of the five overage players. I said in the preview of possible opponents that Broussia Dortmund could technically field Jadon Sancho, he meets the criteria as an over age player, but there is a rule that if a player has featured in three Champions League or Europa League games they are not eligible for the UEFA Youth League.

I was told by the club that the players out on loan are not eligible ruling out the likes of Josh McPake,  and a few over age players. This doesn’t seem to fit with an RB Salzburg squad who virtually all play for FC Liefering in the Austrian second division.

With six of the nine Under 20 players out on loan the three remaining are the only overage players registered in the Rangers squad. All three players have been at the club since a very young age.

Lewis Mayo – Lewis has played in three of the four games so far, missing out on the home tie against Young Boys due to injury. He has mainly been a centre back so far in his career but has played in a midfield role in both the UEFA Youth League and Challenge Cup this season. Lewis has featured in first team friendlies this season and was an unused sub for the Europa League Qualifying home tie against St.Joseph’s. He has represented Scotland at youth level up to Under 19’s.

Rhys Breen – Left sided centre back Rhys has featured in all four games and has been an ever present in the Challenge Cup. Struggled with injury for three seasons and only played sporadically, that is hopefully behind him and has generally been injury free this season. His injury problems may explain why, as yet he has not represented Scotland.

Jack Thomson – Unfortunately Jack has not featured in this season’s UEFA Youth League due to injury. Still not featuring at present so I am unsure if he will be available when the tie comes round in February. Jack who would most likely feature in midfield if available played in the Challenge Cup ties against Berwick Rangers and Stranraer before his injury. Represented Scotland at various age groups.

Now a look at the others likely to feature.

Lewis Budinauckas – The likely goalkeeper is Under 18 player Lewis who has played in three of the four games. He was also the penalty shoot-out hero in the Challenge Cup tie against Solihull Moors. Son of former Partick Thistle and Clyde keeper Kevin Budinauckas, Lewis is an excellent shot stopper. As yet he hasn’t been selected at youth international level.

Jay Hogarth – Deputised for Lewis Budinauckas in the away tie against Slovan Bratislava Jay is an Under 17 goalkeeper and has been capped by Scotland at that level. His older brother Nicky as an Under 19 and would be eligible but is currently on loan at Lowland League side Caldedonia Braves (formerly Edusport). His father Myles was also a keeper and played in the Hearts Youth Cup winning side of 1993 and went on to play for Falkirk and Stirling Albion among others.

The other goalkeepers included in the squad list are Under 17 Grant Thackray and Jack McConnell who is a current member of the Scotland Under 16 squad.

Nathan Patterson – Nathan has been a highly impressive attacking right-back in both in this season’s Challenge Cup as well as the UEFA Youth League. He has played in all four games and scored Rangers first goal in the competition in the away tie at Young Boys. He has represented Scotland at various age groups.

Danny Finlayson – Another ever present in the previous four games, Danny has become a goal scoring centre back, netting in both ties against Young Boys. He has also been a regular in the Challenge Cup but missed out on the Wrexham game as he was playing in Nothern Ireland Under 19’s 1-1 draw with Germany. He was picked for Scotland at a young youth age group before changing his allegiance to Northern Ireland where he was recently selected for the Under 21 squad.

James Maxwell – Joined Rangers on the demise of Forth Valley Academy in December 2017 and he has made fantastic progress to nail down a place in all UEFA Youth League games. Also a regular in this season challenge cup and scored in the quarter final against Wrexham. Came to the club as a wide midfielder but now featuring more at full back. Received a well deserved call up to Scotland’s Under 19 squad.

Harris O’Connor – Equally comfortable at full-back or centre back, Harris joined Rangers from Kilmarnock a couple of years ago, he was previously on the books of Charlton Athletic before his family moved north. Only played one minute in this season’s tournament as a last minute substitute in the home game against Young Boys. Represented Scotland at youth international level.

Zac Butterworth – Joined Rangers I think as an Under 13 player from Alloa Athletic. Zac has alternated between full-back and midfield roles. A couple of substitute appearances in this season’s tournament with a late cameo against Wrexham in the Challenge Cup has been his highlights so far this season. Zac has also represented Scotland at youth level.

Other defenders who may feature are Kyle McClelland, under 18 centre back who has represented Northern Ireland at Under 19 having been in Scotland squads at a younger age. Youngest player who may feature is U16 player Leon King who is a regular at U18, a centre back but can play full-back or midfield. Played for Scotland above his age group at U17’s.

Ciaran Dickson – Still Under 18 but rarely plays at that level as he has pushed into the Development Squad. Ever present in the UEFA Youth League he scored in the first tie against Young Boys. Ciaran broke into the Challenge Cup team with a start against Wrexham. He is usually the furthest forward of the midfield three and is a regular in Scotland youth squads.

Murray Miller – Holding midfielder joined Rangers from Motherwell a couple of years ago, boasts amazing pass completion stats as he keeps the game ticking over. He has played in three of the four UEFA Youth League games, and was an unused sub in the fourth. Scored a rare goal in the recent Youth Cup tie at Ross County. Surprisingly over looked by Scotland recently, Murray has played at youth level for Australia.

Ben Williamson – I first saw Ben at Under 13’s where his midfield competition was Billy Gilmour (Chelsea), Harry Cochrane (Hearts) and Lewis McGrattan (Morton). Ben has seen them move on for one reason or another and he has featured in all UEFA Youth League games this season. He is a competitive midfielder who loves a tackle. As of yet he has not had any international recognition.

Cole McKinnon – Cole made a late cameo appearance in the last game in Bratislava. He resisted the lure of pro-youth remaining at Drunsagard Boys Club before joining Rangers permanently for the start of his Under 16 season. I have watched him as a Rangers “trialist” as far back as Under 13’s. Now an Under 17 player, he has got over an early season injury and now playing in the under 18’s. His older brother Andy was previously a Rangers youth player. Cole is a Scotland youth international.

Another player who could feature in midfield is summer recruit from Sporting Lisbon Umaro Balde. Umaro is a holding midfielder, now an Under 18 he represented Portugal at U15.

Kai Kennedy – An ever present in both UEFA Youth League and Challenge Cup this season an one of the top performers. Who ever we play will have noted his performances in previous games, including a goal in Switzerland against Young Boys. Used either as the wide left attacker or more central in a No. 10 role Kai was close to making the bench for the recent first team game at  Hamilton.Still Under 18 but mostly playing with the Development Squad. A regular Scottish international through the age groups.

Nathan Young-Coombes – Joined from Chelsea in January this year Nathan has been a revelation. Still an Under 17 player his four goals in the four games make him top scorer and our biggest goal threat. Scored his first goal for the Develpment Squad in the Challenge Cup quarter final against Wrexham. Like Ciaran Dickson and Kai Kennedy he rarely plays at Under 18’s. Nathan is also a current England youth international.

Dapo Mebude – Another first pick in the UEFA Youth League Dapo completes Rangers potent front three. He captained the side in the Young Boys home tie in Lewis Mayo’s absence and scored in the home game against Slovan Bratislava. Only player with top team experience when he replaced Daniel Candieas in a 2-1 defeat at Kilmarnock in May. His younger brother Dire is also in the UEFA Youth League group, he is an Under 16 player and has played for Scotland at that age group. Older brother Done was also briefly at Rangers. Dapo is a regular in Scotland youth squads.

Arron Lyall – Rangers go to attacking substitute in the UEFA Youth League coming on in all four games. An Under 17 player and Scottish Youth international he usually plays on the right of the front three. A regular in Rangers Under 18 side this season.

Chris McKee – Northern Ireland youth International striker, Chris joined Rangers from Linfield at the start of last season. A late substitute in the home game against Young Boys. Chris has scored regularly for Rangers Under 18’s this season.

Another attacking option is Kane Ritchie-Hosler a summer recruit from Manchester City.

I have tried to pick out the most likely players to feature from the registered squad. There is a chance that others could break through and the following are in the group of registered players.

Defence – Under 18 full-back Ryan Muir, Under 17 full-back’s Adam Devine and Matthew Henderson who have represented Scotland. Northern Ireland Youth International centre-back Lewis Mackinnon and Scotland Under 16’s defenders Harley & Kelsey Ewan.

Midfield – USA Under 17 cap Julian Anderson, Czech midfielder Krystof Hampl, Robbie Fraser and Alex Lowrie who have both represented Scotland and possibly Kieran McKechnie.

Attack – Northern Ireland Youth International Ross McCausland and striker Matty Yates who has been at Rangers since a young age.