Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha happy to give the duo opportunities.
New Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha in the stands
Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha took the unusual step of naming his side for last night’s clash with Kilmarnock 24 hours in advance.
He gave notice that teenagers Myles Beerman and David Bates would make their debuts, and stuck to his word.
Often managers throw the players straight in without giving them time to stew on the prospect of making their debuts, but the pair were no worse off for it.
Rangers drew the game 0-0, a satisfactory if not exciting result from the point of view of the two youngsters who lined up in defence and will be pleased with the clean sheet.
Caixinha was asked about the duo after the game, and did not go into great detail about how he felt they played, simply stating that he was pleased to provide them with the opportunity.
He told the club’s official website: “I am always happy when the players are given a chance and they try to do their best, they try to do the same according to what we asked and to be themselves and to feel confidence and to feel trust in order to perform in that direction.”
New Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha in the stands with Pedro Mendes
It is tough to tell at this stage how highly Caixinha rates either, given that he is at this stage using his time in charge to experiment.
For now they are on his radar, and had a chance to put themselves in his plans for the future before he gets a chance to enter the transfer market this summer.
It will be interesting to see if either player get another start this season, or this was all about showmanship and a demonstration to try and inspire fellow youngsters to kick on and take their chances.
Beerman and Bates will hope Caixinha saw enough to get the nod this weekend.
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