Former Academy Players In Lowland League

With Rangers Colts competing in The Lowland League next week I thought it would make an interesting post looking at familiar faces we will come up against. In the main this is former Rangers Academy players with one or two coaches who will be on the sidelines.

Berwick Rangers

Grant Nelson – I watched Grant over a long period of time from Under 14’s in 2011 to the last game I saw him in, an Under 19 friendly against Danish side Breidablik in April 2019 when he came on as a sub for Jordan Houston. He looked a great prospect until he suffered a serious ankle injury in a game against Hamilton Accies in late 2015. That saw him sidelined for eighteen months, but didn’t return to the same level and was released. On leaving Rangers he had an unsuccessful trial at Inverness Caley Thistle before joining Dundee on a short term contract. After Dundee he turned out for Tranent Juniors and was set to take up an opportunity in the US before it was scuppered by COVID. He signed for Berwick Rangers and scored the first goal in their 3-1 Scottish Cup win at Dunipace in December last year.

Ryan Finnie – Joined Rangers Development squad at the age of nineteen after being released by Hamilton Accies. He was at the club for less than a year before joining Partick Thistle, never made the first team but has since turned out for Annan Athletic, Clyde, Queens Park as well as Swedish fifth tier side IFK Ostersund. Played in Berwick’s two Scottish Cup ties and with the club playing no further games he moved on loan to Cowdenbeath.

Bo’ness United

Devon Jacobs – Came to the media’s attention as one of the three Jacob triplets who were on Rangers books. All three moved on to Livingston and Devon made quite a few appearances at League One level. He was a regular in the senior game with both Stirling Albion and Berwick Rangers before dropping to non-league with Kelty Hearts and his current club Bo’ness United. Featured in their Scottish Cup defeat to Bonnyrigg Rose in January this year.

Bonnyrigg Rose

Mark Weir – Goalkeeper Mark grabbed the headlines with a Man of the Match performance in Bonnyrigg’s televised extra time defeat to Dundee in the Scottish Cup. Came through the age groups at Rangers and had a loan spell at Kilmarnock, although it was really to play for Killie in the youth league. Played with Arniston Rangers and Bonnyrigg Rose before spending seven years in America before returning to Bonnyrigg for the start of the 2019/20 season.

Broomhill FC

Owen Stott – Goalkeeper Owen was at Rangers Academy but moved to Queens Park. A year in the US followed before joining Stirling Albion on returning home. Moved to Rossvale for last season and only recently signed for BSC Glasgow.

Ryan Sinnamon – A familiar name to many Rangers fans and it really shows how difficult making a break through is. From an Under 13 game against Newcastle in 2010 to an Under 20 game against Sheffield United I watched a lot of Ryan over the years and generally he was one of the top performers, being capped for Scotland from Under 17’s through to Under 19’s. Made a few appearances on loan at Falkirk in 2015/16 season but his progress stalled and he left Rangers in January 2017. Since then he has turned out for Elgin City, Annan Athletic and East Kilbride before committing to BSC Glasgow for the current season.

Gregor Fotheringham – Gregor came through the age groups at Rangers and was seen as a top prospect. Made a few appearances on loan at Forfar Athletic in 2012/13 but his time at Rangers was coming to an end and played as a trialist for Wolves Under 23’s against Fulham, nothing came from that and he was released at the end of the season. Since then he has been in and out of senior football, playing for Stenhousemuir, Queens Park and last season, Albion Rovers. Another committed new signing for BSC Glasgow.

Caledonian Braves

Ricky Waddell – Braves manager is a former Rangers Academy coach who gave up the role to concentrate on managing what was Edusport at the time.

Jamie Walker – Watched defender Jamie from Under 13’s in January 2013 through January 2018 when he joined Partick Thistle on leaving Rangers. He was only at Thistle till the end of that season before joining St. Mirren then Annan Athletic. Joined Caledonian Braves last season and played in their Scottish Cup win over Inverness Clachnacuddin.

A late edit on this section as it originally included Andy Dowie and Blair Docherty, just read an update from the club and Andy has now retired while Blair has left the club due to travelling involved. 

Civil Service Strollers

Ross Young – Midfielder Ross was at Rangers as an Under 15/16 player around 2016. He joined Hibernian on leaving Rangers, spending three years at the Easter Road club. Joined Civil Service Strollers at the start of last season.

Cumbernauld Colts

Ewan McPherson – Son of former Rangers Gus McPherson, Ewan wasn’t a signed Rangers player but played and scored as a trialist in a game against Hibernian at Ibrox in May 2016. He was at Queens Park at the time but never progressed as expected and moved to East Kilbride for 2019/20 season. Joined Cumbernauld Colts at the start of last season after a spell at Kirkintilloch Rob Roy.

Reece Murdoch – Goalkeeper Reece was part of the 2001 group that included Nathan Patterson and Ben Williamson. From memory he was only there up until Under 13’s when he moved to St. Mirren, he has since beem on the books of Livingston and Airdrie, signing for Cumbernauld Colts for the coming season.

Dalbeattie Star

Chris Jardine – No longer a player Chris is a coach at Dalbeattie, he played well over 100 games in League Football for Annan Athletic. He was a Rangers youth player in the late 1990’s and was one a few from the Dumfries area and I think all from Maxwelltown Boys Club.

East Kilbride 

Ian Durrant – The East Kilbride coach of course needs no introduction and won’t say anymore.

Connor Brennan – Goalkeeper Connor doubles up playing for East Kilbride with his role as Academy goalkeeping coach at Rangers. 

Gregg Wylde – Probably the player that most people will be familiar with, he joined Rangers from Celtic in a kinda swop deal that took Sean Fitzharris in the other direction in 2005. Made his Rangers debut as a late sub against Hamilton Accies in August 2009. Made almost fifty appearances for Rangers winning a League and League Cup medal in 2010/11. Had a bit of a nomadic career since playing for a total of fourteen clubs, only making a significant number of appearances in his time at St. Mirren and Plymouth Argyle.

East Stirlingshire

Ross Connelly – Ross is a bit vertically challenged for a goalkeeper which has no doubt impacted on his career. He was at Rangers Academy before joining Hamilton Accies.  He excelled for Accies in their Champions Youth League games in 2018, saving to penalties in the shootout. He joined East Stirlingshire at the start of last season.

Scott Gray – Left back Scott was in Rangers Academy for ten years. I first seen him in an Under 12 friendly against Wolves in 2012 and the last game was as a sub in a 2-2 draw with Spartak Moscow at Forthbank in 2019. He had loan spells at Whitehill Welfare, Albion Rovers and East Stirlingshire during his time at Rangers. On leaving Rangers he spent a year at Dalry Thistle and joined East Stirlingshire in December 2020.

Andy Rodden – Another player I watched from U12’s as part of the 2001 group that included Nathan Paterson and Billy Gilmour. I last seen him in a Rangers jersey in July 2017 in a friendly against Linfield and moved to Partick Thistle soon after.  Made the bench for Thistle a few times in the past season but was released and joined East Stirlingshire for the coming season.

Gretna 2008

Ryan Muir – Dumfries based Ryan and his family showed great commitment at Rangers travelling the road for many years. I watched him from U13’s through to U18’s in January 2020, leaving the club in February that year. He signed for Gretna at the start of last season.

The Spartans

Gregor Woods – The midfielder joined Rangers as an Under 16 player from Hibernian for the 2016/17 season, returning to the Easter Road club the following season. Moved to Spartans for the start of last season.

 

Celtic B

This might come as a bit of a surprise to some but there are quite a few in the Celtic squad with a Rangers connection. It is common for players at a young age to train with both clubs before making a commitment for CAS (Club Academy Scotland) age groups au U11. A couple of others changed allegiance a bit later on.

Ben Wylie – Midfielder Ben was a regular visitor to The Rangers Training Centre from Northern Ireland along with Chris McKee. Where as Rangers signed striker Chris they opted not to offer Ben a contract, which surprised me at the time and he was picked up by Celtic.

Mackenzie Carse – Was in Rangers Academy at the younger age groups but opted to move across the city for which Rangers received a development fee.

WhileBen McPherson, Adam Brooks & Ben Summers all chose Celtic over Rangers despite being alleged Rangers fans.