Forres Mechanics v Rangers: Injuries to five first-team players leave Ally McCoist relying on youth

Football Writer

Saturday 29 September 2012

T HE consolation for some Rangers supporters, after having to adjust to the Ibrox club playing in the Irn-Bru third division, was that the long journey to the top would at least be achieved with a team of young, homegrown players who could develop and grow together.

The Rangers squad share a lighter moment in their preparations for a trip to the Highlands today. Picture: SNS

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Graeme Macpherson

For fans of any club there has always been something quite appealing about the idea of having 11 of your own – preferably local kids who grew up supporting the team – being given the chance to take the club forward then grasping it with both hands. In most scenarios it is a nice theory, but impossible to implement in reality without diluting the potency of the side.

In Rangers' case, however, it looked like the perfect solution. Up against part-time opposition and backed by a patient and understanding support, it seemed all set up for manager Ally McCoist to give the Murray Park alumni their stripes. The Ibrox hierarchy, however, saw it differently. Mindful that a team of teenagers may struggle in the lower leagues – as well as seeking marquee signings to help sell season tickets – Rangers signed Clydesdale Bank Premier League-standard players to play alongside those senior figures such as Neil Alexander and Lee McCulloch who remained. Sebastien Faure, Emilson Cribari and Anestis Argyriou made the cut from a phalanx of trialists before the start of a year-long transfer embargo. It seemed that opportunities for homegrown talent would be as restricted as they were last season. A raft of injuries, though, have altered the landscape. Four of the summer signings – Dean Shiels, Fran Sandaza, Ian Black and David Templeton – as well as Andy Little have succumbed, meaning the younger players are belatedly getting a chance to show what they can do. So far they have not let their manager down. A Scottish Cup tie away to Forres Mechanics, the Highland League champions, would usually call for wise old heads, but McCoist will have little choice but to send out such as Lewis MacLeod, Robbie Crawford, Fraser Aird, Barry McKay, Kal Naismith and Francesco Stella."As someone who was sitting here [before the transfer window closed] saying we needed five new players, we have lost, you would argue five starters now," said McCoist. "You have to balance that by saying that we have been absolutely delighted with some of the younger boys who have come into the team. I'm moaning about losing five players but the flip side of the coin is that the crowd are loving Fraser and wee Robbie Crawford. I think there's an appreciation coming from the support, realising where we are and enjoying seeing some of the younger boys coming through."Another who has made a belated breakthrough is Kyle Hutton. Expected to be a regular presence in midfield this season, the 21 year-old featured in early games against Brechin City and East Fife but then wasn't seen again until appearing as a substitute against Motherwell in midweek. His performance drew strong praise from McCoist – "with that level Kyle would play in most teams in the SPL" – and the player, who batted away talk of a rift with his manager, knows he must make the most of his opportunity."It was frustrating not playing but all I could do was keep my head down, keep working hard and when my chance came make sure I was ready to take it," he said. "The manager had a word with me and said that was the standard [against Motherwell] I needed to maintain. I just want to make sure I don't let him down."McCoist insisted he and his staff had prepared as thoroughly for this game as they would a European tie. Defeat at Forres would represent a new nadir."Ask anybody within the SFL or the Highland League and they'll say it's wonderful for that part of Scottish football [having Rangers involved] and we're delighted to be part of it," said McCoist. "But we don't want to be a statistic. We have to treat the game as a cup final. If we can do that and get our head around that mental approach then we will be fine."

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Forres Mechanics v Rangers: Injuries to five first-team players leave Ally McCoist relying on youth

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