Things are looking drastically better for Rangers under new boss Steven Gerrard, who is currently leading them on a chase at the top of the table against bitter rivals Celtic.
Of course, knocking Celtic off their perch is of paramount importance for the club, but fans will be relieved to finally have a manager in charge with a clear plan and philosophy going forwards. And, even with a limited budget, we expect Gerrard to use his experience as a successful youth coach at Liverpool to figure out a way to nurture the raw talent entering the club and turn them into future superstars.
That being said, here are two wonderkids Rangers fans will absolutely adore by the end of 2019…
Zak Rudden
Falkirk manager Ray McKinnon has been quoted saying Rudden just “sniffs out goals” like “an Ally McCoist type” – so who is this player who’s due to emulate a club legend?
Scoring 9 goals in 18 league games for bottom of the table Falkirk is no mean feat. However, Rudden, who’s on loan from Rangers this term, has managed it, and looks set to be the club’s only hope if they wish to remain in Scotland’s second tier.
With Umar Sadiq’s disastrous loan spell coming to a premature end in December, Gerrard will surely take from the experience and look to his own academy to find the quality his team needs.
Jamie Barjonas
Unfortunately for midfielder Jamie Barjonas, things haven’t quite gone to plan since he was shipped out on loan earlier this season.
An unsuccessful loan spell at fourth-tier side Bury was shortly followed by a return to his home nation to help out promotion hopefuls Raith Rovers, who currently find themselves in 2nd position in Scotland’s third division, which some might consider a serious drop in quality.
However, the news of his misfire in English football shouldn’t disappoint with ex-boss Ryan Lowe telling the club’s official website that “he’s [Barjonas] been good for us, he’s had his ups and downs, he’s a cracking little player, he’s just not had that opportunity as yet.”
Indeed, it should be noted Barjonas has represented his nation at every youth level so far, and is currently turning out for the under-19 side, so there’s clearly some ability there – Gerrard just need to work his magic to unlock it.
