RANGERS have got their teeth into the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup this term.
Now it could give them the sweet taste of success as Graeme Murty’s side bid for a final berth on Sunday.
The Colts have seen off the likes of Ballymena United and Wrexham on the road to the last four and Championship promotion hopefuls Inverness Caley Thistle await.
The addition of Under-20s sides to the competition has long been the source of debate but Ibrox kid Kai Kennedy reckons the results speak for themselves when it comes to the benefits for Rangers.
“It has been a great experience for us in the Challenge Cup and we have done well to win some of the games like Stranraer away and Solihull away,” he said.
“It has been great for us and this game coming up is another one. We just need to believe and we all do. The confidence we have got in the changing room and with the staff we have got, we believe that we can go and do it.
“Playing against the English clubs and some of the sides we have faced this season has really helped us a lot.
“We don’t worry about the physical side of the game, we know if we play our own game then we can win.
“You can see that the Academy is growing every year and that is shown by the results that we are getting. It is great to get this far and we want to go all the way now.
“It would be a great achievement if we could get to the final and knocking out Inverness would be a big result for the Academy.
“Come Sunday, I think we can go up there and do what we have been doing all season and get a result.”
If Rangers can overcome John Robertson's side this weekend, the final later in the campaign will provide Murty's kids with the biggest fixture of their fledgling careers.
Kennedy has already made his breakthrough under Steven Gerrard. He was part of the squad in Dubai and then made his debut against Stranraer in the Scottish Cup.
He may only be 17, but the forward has taken significant steps at Ibrox as his reputation grows all the time.
Kennedy said: “Being in Dubai, I felt I learned a lot from the experienced players in terms of what they do and how they are on and off the pitch and how they recover, rest and prepare yourself for the next day.
"It was a hard week and you need to be right every day in terms of your preparations.
“When I go into training, I just need to work hard and do my best and hopefully I will get that chance again. It is great to be working alongside the gaffer and I have learned so much from him already. He gives me great advice and I take everything on board. He trusts the young players and if he thinks you are good enough then he will play you.
“When you are round there, you have to watch what the first team do and take it all on board. I look up to those players so you always listen and learn from them."
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