Glasgow Rangers are reportedly set to sign 16-year-old duo Blaine McClure and Callum Burnside to professional deals ahead of this summer.
The Lowdown: Building for the future
Rangers are building for the future of the club, having reportedly offered 19-year-old Arron Lyall a new contract in the hopes of keeping him beyond this season.
They have plenty of players out of contract in the summer, including veterans Allan McGregor, Steven Davis and Scott Arfield, and are in need of bringing in some fresh and younger blood as these players start to depart.
The Latest: Advanced talks
As per Football Insider, the Gers are in 'advanced talks' to sign both McClure and Burnside, who have caught their attention after impressing for the academy of Northern Irish club Linfield ,as well as on the international stage with Northern Ireland’s youth age groups.
They have attracted the interest of a number of clubs, but are set to sign professional deals with the Light Blues ahead of official moves in the summer.
The central midfielders have already played well enough for them in age-group matches to convince their coaches to authorise contracts, and it looks like both players will be signed up soon.
The Verdict: Exciting
The Teddy Bears committed to making the academy a prominent part of their strategy under the board in 2019.
It is one of the reasons that they hired Michael Beale, as he made his name in youth-team football, and has a track record of developing players at academy level, as well as being passionate about working with young players that he can improve.
Rangers have also lost some of their top youngsters in recent years, and so will be adamant not to let deals for McClure and Burnside slip.