Rangers under-18s head coach David McCallum thinks it would be “excellent” if his three-in-a-row title winners were to mirror the first-team’s Champions League fixtures in the UEFA Youth League – and insists it would be the ideal way for the Ibrox youngsters to experience the challenges that come with being a first-team player at Rangers.
The young Gers are guaranteed a place in the competition regardless of the first-team’s success in qualifying, although a place in the Champions League pathway rather than the Domestic Champions pathway would prove a far sterner test.
McCallum also knows his players will have the challenges of domestic football to contend with as the Gers prepare for their second appearance in UEFA’s elite youth competition.
“We could go and replicate the programme that the first-team are on and that is undoubtedly the best scenario for us all,” McCallum told Rangers TV.
“It would be excellent, we would be travelling like the first team do and learning from them which is ultimately where our players want to get to.
“That programme would ultimately be the best one to be in but we have got the back-up of the domestic pathway as well but fingers crossed we can go and enjoy that.”
Massive season ahead for Rangers’ youths
As well as a return to the UEFA Youth League, the coming campaign will likely see many of McCallum’s under-18s play for the Colts in the Lowland League.
Many of the older players in the Academy will probably go out on loan so the ones who played such a big part in winning a third successive CAS under-18s title will be vital in the fifth tier.
Whether McCallum is in charge of the Colts after Kevin Thomson left Rangers to take the reins at Kelty Hearts remains to be seen but he would be a good option.
Having worked alongside Graeme Murty and the under-20s a few seasons go, McCallum seems like the obvious internal candidate for the Colts hotseat.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
