I really don't think we can rely on Scally as our back-up LB, especially when Rommens seems a bit injury-prone. It doesn't matter how good Scally is "for his age", he is 15, he's never played a minute of adult football in his life, he might never make it as a professional footballer, never mind one good enough to play for us. We need a proper backup for Rommens for at least another 2-3 years - if Scally keeps developing he can start to breakthrough at 17-18 and that's still really young.
Yeah it’s definitely a risky plan. There are a few reasons that I think that risk is worthwhile though.
- If you give Scally this reported 3 year deal and then sign someone in his position for the same length of time, what does that say to the next group of youth players considering offers from elsewhere?
- Rangers using youth to supplement certain areas actually gives more room to build a strong squad. Applying more resources to the positions that the club is targeting in the transfer market.
- Also just because we don’t buy a backup left back doesn’t mean we won’t have back up there. A lot of CBs in the modern day can play those positions. You already have Dujon Sterling who can cover basically everywhere (injury concerns there of course). I also wouldn’t be surprised if Rangers try again for Kenny McLean again this summer, who can also play left back in a pinch.
There’s also just the idea that Rangers need to start developing youth if the club wants to be profitable in the longer term.
I definitely understand where you’re coming from though and if the club went in the direction you suggest it wouldn’t be a wrong answer either.
All very true and fair assessment. I would assume the thinking is that you guys can't sign 22 players this window and there's probably a few fans that would like to regardless of how the season ends 🤣! Some positions will take priorities over others/have more budget allocated.
If a new right back is priority over left back then I wouldn't be surprised if you got another left back on loan to cover Rommens (Meghoma on loan was the only left back til January I think?)
My reading of the article was that Josh's point here would be instead of English loans the club needs to start developing it's own. Rangers (and Celtic) have been so poor at developing Scottish youngsters for years now.
I really don't think we can rely on Scally as our back-up LB, especially when Rommens seems a bit injury-prone. It doesn't matter how good Scally is "for his age", he is 15, he's never played a minute of adult football in his life, he might never make it as a professional footballer, never mind one good enough to play for us. We need a proper backup for Rommens for at least another 2-3 years - if Scally keeps developing he can start to breakthrough at 17-18 and that's still really young.
Yeah it’s definitely a risky plan. There are a few reasons that I think that risk is worthwhile though.
- If you give Scally this reported 3 year deal and then sign someone in his position for the same length of time, what does that say to the next group of youth players considering offers from elsewhere?
- Rangers using youth to supplement certain areas actually gives more room to build a strong squad. Applying more resources to the positions that the club is targeting in the transfer market.
- Also just because we don’t buy a backup left back doesn’t mean we won’t have back up there. A lot of CBs in the modern day can play those positions. You already have Dujon Sterling who can cover basically everywhere (injury concerns there of course). I also wouldn’t be surprised if Rangers try again for Kenny McLean again this summer, who can also play left back in a pinch.
There’s also just the idea that Rangers need to start developing youth if the club wants to be profitable in the longer term.
I definitely understand where you’re coming from though and if the club went in the direction you suggest it wouldn’t be a wrong answer either.
All very true and fair assessment. I would assume the thinking is that you guys can't sign 22 players this window and there's probably a few fans that would like to regardless of how the season ends 🤣! Some positions will take priorities over others/have more budget allocated.
If a new right back is priority over left back then I wouldn't be surprised if you got another left back on loan to cover Rommens (Meghoma on loan was the only left back til January I think?)
My reading of the article was that Josh's point here would be instead of English loans the club needs to start developing it's own. Rangers (and Celtic) have been so poor at developing Scottish youngsters for years now.
Enjoying this series. Just subscribed again to read them and I’m hooked! Well researched and data driven discussion.
Data? Writing? Josh has it covered.
Great use of writing and well data’d
A great use of data and really well written
Really well written and great use of Data
A compliment coming from you mate! I'll make sure he sees it.
Cheers man. Putting out the first of my World cup wildcard picks this week, keep and eye out for it !