'Not kids making the numbers up': Can Dickson and King be next youths from Rangers' training centre at Auchenhowie?

Ciaran Dickson with Steven Gerrard on November 29, 2020, in Falkirk, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)

The midfielders' comparisons should end there and then, with the date – it would be unfair otherwise. But what both also did show on their respective substitute appearances, was plenty of promise.

“I will be watching them both very closely now,” said Gerrard, who also handed a debut to defender Leon King, born in 2004.

He won’t be the only one. After a bright start, Rangers fans will now be monitoring their progress with great interest and a growing hope that more first-team ready players, honed and sculpted through the club’s ranks, will pass through the gates at Auchenhowie.

Leon King came on for his debut during the Betfred Cup match against Falkirk. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)

The Ibrox ambition to have one of the top 15 academies in Europe will be judged on the success of these exports – their contribution to the first team and, or, the balance sheet. Having a stamp on Billy Gilmour’s development passport could become invaluable in future, but it’s on the pitch Rangers fans look to enjoy the fruits of the training centre’s labour.

Sunday night was another glimpse.

Rangers withdrew from the Scottish development leagues in 2017 to play ‘best v best’ friendlies against the cream of the Europe. It was a bold move, criticised in some quarters but has brought results, of sorts.

Ross McCrorie moved to Aberdeen on loan after being unable to cement a regular start at Ibrox. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

Earlier this year Craig Mulholland, the Academy head, highlighted the increase in club youth internationals from 14 to 40, among those Ross and Robby McCrorie, Nathan Patterson, Kai Kennedy and Stephen Kelly – as well as Dickson and King. That’s success, and recognition, but not in the blue that matters most to Ibrox fans.

Both McCrorie brothers have had to look elsewhere for first team football, Ross permanently from the end of this season, although there is still hope Robby can stake after his Livingston loan. Stephen Kelly’s stint with Ross County gives him first-team football without breaking the Arfield-Davis-Jack-Kamara monopoly that many seasoned midfielders would struggle in. Kai Kennedy moved to Inverness temporarily with his future at Rangers unclear.

Nathan Patterson has been held close, ready as James Tavernier’s under-study, but with a super-fit captain in the form of his life, his opportunities have been limited thus far.

The wait for that regular first-team starter, beyond Allan McGregor, continues and it is to young Dickson and King that homegrown hopes could now turn. Dickson gave much cause for comment in last night’s win, with social media abuzz with praise for the pair.

Ciaran Dickson made his debut for Rangers in the televised 4-0 win over Falkirk in the Betfred Cup (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)

MATCH RECAP: Falkirk 0 Rangers 4 – Betfred Cup last-16

The midfielder sprang off the bench against Falkirk, playing a series of clever through balls – even one-step ahead of four-time Swiss-capped forward Cedric Itten. If you’re too clever for a striker of international capabilities, you’re doing something right. King too, stepped up and played comfortably with the game well won.

They’re now being monitored closely, not just by the fans keen for them to kick-on, but by the manager too.

“I want to see how they react to that taste of first-team football and see them work hard to get more opportunities,” said Gerrard. “They both look physically ready - they are training like first team players, not kids coming in to make the numbers up.”

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