Rangers Academy chief Craig Mulholland has lauded the signing of Manchester United midfielder Charlie McCann after the Irish youth international moved to Ibrox on a three-year deal – and admits it’s been a deal that’s been in the pipeline for “some time.”
McCann leaves Old Trafford after he was a standout in the United under-23 side last season, joining up with David McCallum’s Rangers B team in the Lowland League.
Mulholland pointed to the pathway Nathan Patterson was provided with to the first-team as well as the club’s need to recruit the best ‘external’ talent as he lauded the Rangers youth system.
The midfielder’s arrival is one that has excited Gers fans and Mulholland is looking forward to tracking his progress with the B team as he pushes for a place in Steven Gerrard’s squad.
“We are delighted to recruit Charlie in our emerging talent space,” Mulholland told Rangers TV.
“Our recruitment team lead by Andy Scoulding and David Stevenson have been tracking Charlie for some time, know him very well and we see clear attributes which fit with the playing identity shared across the first team and our Professional Development Phase.
“Charlie will now develop initially in our B Team, being exposed to competitive men’s football in front of large numbers of Rangers fans, and learn the style and identity we require from our players under David and Brian.
“Ross Wilson was really clear when he joined that in order to create a modern winning Rangers that we develop the best talent through our Academy, as Nathan Patterson did from the age of 8, but also recruit the best emerging talent externally, and Charlie absolutely fits this bill.
“He has an excellent personality which, having met his parents, is driven from a strong family unit and this will allow Charlie to embrace the high-quality environment, staff and provision we now have at Rangers. We all wish Charlie well as he starts his exciting Rangers journey.”
McCann will have a little bit to wait until he can make his Gers’ debut after this weekend’s Old Firm clash with Celtic was postponed.
The Hoops were due to host their rivals but due to a fixture clash with Airdire’s League One opener, it has been moved.
With talents like Alex Lowry and Charlie Lindsay in the middle of the park for the B team, McCann’s arrival will really push the players at the club already to take their game up a level this season.
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