GRAEME MURTY is confident his Rangers kids have what it takes to win over boss Steven Gerrard and earn a place in his Ibrox squad.

Gerrard has involved a handful of up-and-coming talents in his first team pool over the last 18 months but the Under-20s face a difficult task forcing their way into his starting line-up this season.

That is the ultimate ambition for every player under Murty’s guidance as he looks to prepare his Colts for life in the Gers spotlight.

And the former Light Blues boss is grateful for the backing he and his staff have received from Gerrard.

The Herald:

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Murty said: “He has been excellent. It has been great. I have been chatting to the boss and his staff about the players, we are in contact on a daily basis about how we can support them best.

“And we do that by being available, having players available should they need them and having the right quality of player in the right position. We talk on a daily basis about what the first team need.

“Do they need a right back, a left back, a forward player?

“There is an ongoing dialogue and the pleasing part for all the Academy staff is that the manager and all his staff know all of our players by name. They know them, they talk to us all the time, they know their strengths, know the things they are working on.

“Our players, ultimately, have to pass that last audition and impress that guy. We work with them on a daily basis, we know their strengths and their development areas, we know them inside out.

“Ultimately, when it comes to the last part, we hope we have prepared them well enough to go and impress the manager. Thus far, the challenges that we have given them, they have done quite well.”