Rangers academy chief Craig Mulholland is excited by the prospect of facing Swedish side Hammarby in the UEFA Youth League as he lauded to competition’s effect on developing players.
The Gers qualified for the third season in a row after winning the CAS under-18 title last season and Mulholland pointed to the role facing teams such as Atletico Madrid had on Nathan Patterson’s development into a first-team player at Rangers.
Rangers have impressed in Youth League previously and Mulholland is looking forward to the Light Blues’ return to Europe’s elite youth tournament.
“We are delighted to be entering the UEFA Youth League for the third year in a row,” Mulholland told Rangers TV.
“This is Europe’s premier youth competition, and we are delighted to be Scotland’s representative.
“Our games in this competition previously against Young Boys, Slovan Bratislava and Atletico Madrid played a massive part in the development of players such as Nathan Patterson and creates a fantastic ‘best v best’ experience, a critical pillar in our strategic plan.
“We very much look forward to travelling to Sweden and welcoming Hammarby to Glasgow which, in keeping with the ethos of the UEFA Youth League, will allow friendships to be formed and lots of invaluable learning to take place”
Rangers have previously played their fixtures at Partick Thistle’s Firhill but the Gers have yet to confirm where they will face Hammarby.
The Swedes arrive in Ibrox later this month for the first leg with the return taking place near the end of October.
The winners will go on and face Albanian side Akademia e Futibollit or Septemvri Sofia from Bulgaria in the domestic champions pathway.
Real Madrid are the current holders of the competition, beating Benfica 3-2 in the 2019/20 final in Nyon; with Covid forcing the tournament to be postponed last season.
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