Rangers assistant manager Gary McAllister has admitted that he could hand first-team opportunities to a number of the club’s promising youngsters in tonight’s Europa League clash with Alashkert – if the Light Blues can get themselves into a comfortable lead.
The Light Blues lead 1-0 on aggregate but have been rocked by a string of positive Covid tests leading to the likes of Jay Hogarth, Alex Lowry, Arron Lyall, Kyle McClelland and Cole McKinnon making the trip to Armenia with the Rangers first-team.
The B team have won seven of their eight Lowland League fixtures so far this season and, while it is a massive jump in levels, the chance to play in the Europa League would be huge in their development.
McAllister thinks the trip away will be a great experience for the players, even if they don’t get on the pitch, but the Ibrox assistant boss is confident the Light Blues can get themselves into a position to give them a chance to shine.
“We have some youngsters who have come from the B Team and have impressed recently and have impressed when they have come over and trained with the first team, and we are confident, if we get in a nice position, all of them can go on the pitch,” said McAllister [Rangers].
“If that was the case, that would be massive for them, and already, it is a great experience for these younger guys to have come and joined the training today and then travelling after, it has probably been a first for all of them.
“But they are well capable and we are very confident in these young players.”
While Rangers go into the game knowing a draw will see them through to the group stage, the Light Blues will want to get a couple of goals before looking to introduce any of the youngsters.
With the Old firm this weekend too, Rangers have a massive couple of games ahead of them and it couldn’t be a more pressured situation for the Academy graduates to be called into the squad.
After impressing so far in the B team, it wouldn’t be a surprise if one or two were to get some minutes tonight and help Rangers book their place in the groups.
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