Clement model paying dividends as Gers see benefit in academy graduate
Yesterday at 02:40 PM
Philippe Clement has turned to youth players on several occasions during his tenure as Rangers boss.
The manager trusted Ross McCausland in big games throughout last season and Cole McKinnon played in both games against Benfica in the last 16 of the Europa League.
Another player to benefit was Robbie Fraser who made his first appearance off the bench and made a dream start for the club he has supported all his life as the Rangersacademy begins to kick into action.
Robbie Fraser proving Philippe Clement’s Rangers change right
Clement's policy of introducing more academy players into first team training at Auchenhowie has benefitted Fraser in particular.
A philosophy that the Gers boss was surprised wasn’t already in place when he took charge:
“It is an important thing. They have been training a lot with us to get the principles, to understand the demand in the first team.
“For example, Ross McCausland last season trained five times with the first team. Five trainings with the first team. You cannot be ready to step in. We are busy with this programme to get integration into the first team as much as possible in our training.”
“The club needs for the future to get also money in by producing or making players better, getting young players in and to make them better to sell them. Also for sure out of the academy making players who can be starters in the first team.
“That needs to be a model that we will build the next couple of years, it is not the work of one week, two weeks, six months, or even one year or two years.
“It is an important thing and it was important we gave chances to Ross to be a symbol of the Academy and out of that Cole, Robbie and Jonly and the others they feel it is also possible and it gives belief. That is what they are showing. Does it mean they are ready to start every game and to play every game? Not yet. But I hope they are going to challenge all the others. For me it is not important how old somebody is.”
Fraser proving his worth as Rangers backup
Fraser has found himself on the bench this season with Ridvan Yilmaz out injured and Jefte preferred as first choice, he has also been used higher up the pitch by the manager when wingers were in short supply.
The time with the senior players is clearly rubbing off on Fraser who dominated proceedings for the B team against Fraserburgh in the challenge cup, creating several chances and the opening goal.
What he continues to show is that he can be trusted to deputise should Clement need him.
The academy doesn't have to be judged on producing Barry Ferguson's if the likes of Robbie Fraser are stepping up to the plate.
