ALAN Kernaghan is confident that a string of Murray Park graduates will take their chance to impress when the exodus of players finally begins at Rangers.
The new Brentford No.2, who left a part-time Under-12 and Under-17 youth coaching role at Rangers last week, fears for friends in Glasgow as they brace themselves for a decision by administrators Duff & Phelps on who will be asked to leave the club. It's a scenario that the former Republic of Ireland internationalist knows only too well from his time as a player at Middlesbrough.
"I was breaking into a first team which included Gary Pallister and Tony Mowbray when Boro got into trouble," said Kernaghan. "We found the gates to the stadium bolted and we didn't get paid for a couple of months. But I was a young player back then and probably a bit blasé. With the Rangers situation, you really feel for everyone involved, and not just the players.
"It's a worrying time. I know there is a real sense of unease and that hasn't been helped by the rumour mill going into overdrive and delays in meetings which should make things a bit clearer to everyone at Rangers. At Murray Park, it has been a tight ship but I believe that there are youngsters who are pushing for places in the first team. Of course they need experience around them going forward but lads like Jamie Ness, Kyle Hutton, Darren Cole and Kal Naismith have all had a taste, in some big European games, and they haven't let anyone down.
"I know that there has been criticism aimed at the youth set-up but there are players waiting for their chance. Ross Perry and Andrew Little did well at Inverness and Rhys McCabe was on the bench."
Little was omitted from the Northern Ireland squad by Michael O'Neill last week in order to allow him time to deal with the unfolding scenario at Ibrox despite calling up teammates Steven Davis and David Healy, a decision the new Northern Ireland manager explained yesterday ahead of his first match in charge against Norway this evening.
"He is in a difficult situation at present with his club. Once his club situation is sorted out it will be better for him and Northern Ireland. Although not selected for the squad, Andy will continue to be monitored with the rest of the players."
Little has featured twice for Rangers this season, scoring his first goal for the club in last weekend's 4-1 victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle. He has also represented his country seven times, with the most recent cap coming in a 3-0 defeat to Italy last year.
Davis is Northern Ireland's new captain after being named as Aaron Hughes' successor by O'Neill.
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