Gers eye future starlets | Football News | Sky Sports

Rangers youth coach Billy Kirkwood is confident the club will produce the Scotland stars of the future.

The Under 19s boss has seen a number of players progress from the academy ranks, with Liverpool defender Danny Wilson the most recent to make the breakthrough at international level.

Kirkwood believes Kyle Hutton, Gregg Wylde and John Fleck will all have a part to play for Scotland after making a reputation for themselves at Ibrox.

He said:"Craig Levein said, when he was at Cowdenbeath, he looked five years ahead all the time, he kept on looking down the line.

"We think we have got a good batch of young lads at Rangers. Danny Wilson, for example, left and went to Liverpool.

"We are hoping players like Hutton, Wylde and Fleck can break through and we can watch them at national level.

"I would be delighted to watch these lads play for Scotland in five years time and that's the challenge they've got.

"First and foremost, it's a regular place in the Rangers first team and then taking the step up to Scotland."

Kirkwood admits young players at Rangers now have a great opportunity to stake a claim due to financial constraints at the club preventing the Light Blues from spending cash.

"From the first team manager down to us in the youth department, we appreciate the financial restraints at the club,"he added.

"We have always said to the lads that this is their best opportunity to grab a chance. If they get an opportunity, they've got to be ready for it. To be fair to the lads so far, they have been ready for it.

"I think they will get the opportunities and it's up to the lads to take those opportunities.

"Some of them get hand picked to go and train with the first team.

"If they do well on those days, then they get the opportunity to play in reserve games or friendlies or sit on the bench.

"If there is an injury or suspension, with they way the club is at the moment, they go on the pitch and grab their chance."

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