Kevin Murphy, Head of Football in the Community for Rangers, has emphasised the importance of their Summer Soccer Schools in keeping the club connected to the community.
Murphy, who is also the manager of Rangers ladies, has been delighted to see more than 400 children attended the camps over the summer.
As well as locals getting involved in camps such as the one held last week at New Tinto Park in Govan, there have been kids coming from as far afield as Shetland and Orkney to take part.
“This work is vital for a club like Rangers,” Murphy said. “We have to make sure that we stay connected to the local community.
“Over the last few years it’s been difficult for the club to do as much as it wanted to do, but now the club is 100% committed to making sure we’re a presence in the local community and further afield too.
“A club like Rangers is nationwide, so it’s about providing opportunities for kids all over Scotland, not just in Glasgow.
“But when you’re in a place like Govan where the stadium is such a focal point of the local community and there are so many fans that gravitate towards it, it’s important to us to provide for local kids.”
The visit of Jordan Rossiter to one of the camps showed the participants what can be achieved with talent and hard work.
While the main aim of the camps are to provide a fun, safe environment for children to enjoy football, it can also be a route into the Rangers youth system.
In fact, eight outfield players and several goalkeepers have already been recommended for the elite courses at Auchenhowie.
“It’s a fantastic experience for the kids to meet Jordan and Broxi the Bear of course,” Murphy said. “You can see them walking off the pitch with a smile on their face.
“We hope that it will capture their imagination, and if they don’t go on to play for Rangers, we hope they will always have that connection with the club as a supporter.”
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