- The 17-year-old goalkeeper joined the first team in Marbella, Spain
- McGuire featured for Scotland under-19s during the international break
- Youngster has spoken out on the inspiration that is Jack Butland
Rydnn McGuire travelled with the Rangers’ first team to Marbella this week in new images released by the club.
The 17-year-old joined Danny Rohl’s men in Spain fresh of the back of representing Scotland under-19s on international duty.
McGuire started all three fixtures, including a clean sheet in the 3-0 victory against Poland as Neil MacFarlane’s side retained their League A status.
Inclusion in Spanish camp allows McGuire to further develop
The decision to invite McGuire onto the five-day visit to Spain highlights how his performances in the academy and on the international stage are being noticed by Rohl.
The teenager has also been the subject of intense speculation with clubs in England adding the youngster onto their radar.
Therefore, bringing him to Spain could hint that the manager is keen to keep him at Ibrox.
This is not the first time that the 17-year-old has been involved in the first-team over the last 18 months with the youngster revealing his heroics in the Old Firm penalty shootout victory was inspired by Butland.
It is clear that McGuire looks up to Butland and the call by Rohl to invite him on the training camp would have done wonders for his development.
Has Danny Rohl earmarked him for promotion during the summer?
However, the 17-year-old travelling to Marbella could be a hint that the manager is preparing him for a bigger role in the not so distant future.
Liam Kelly and Kieran Wright are in the final months of their contract which means the goalkeeping department is an area which Rohl will need to address.
Therefore, McGuire could be set for a permanent position in Rangers’ senior squad as the official understudy to Butland which would mark a milestone in the teenager’s impressive career to date.
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The further integration of McGuire into the squad by having him part of the training camp seems to signal that Rohl is laying the groundwork for succession planning.
If McGuire does replace Kelly or Wright in the summer not only would it be a seamless transition but also provide and idea into Rohl’s longer term vision for Rangers.
And at its core, rewarding young prospects from the academy with senior football.
