- Luca Rankin has agreed a professional deal at Ibrox
- Rankin joins Ashton Scally and Kyle Glasgow in signing contracts
- Further evidence of youth integration into first-team
Luca Rankin is understood to be signing his first professional contract at Rangers.
The 15-year-old will put pen to paper on a three-year-deal at Auchenhowie, according to Chris Jack at The Rangers Review.
By signing a contract, the Scotland U15 international, who is the son of interim Ayr United manager John Rankin will follow in the footsteps of Kyle Glasgow and Ashton Scally.
That will provide the youngster with a chance to make a strong impression in Danny Rohl’s squad next season.
Rankin news reiterates that Ibrox chiefs are investing in future
Rankin will join up with fellow academy players Ashton Scally and Kyle Glasgow next season as he looks to gain first-team experience.
The more we hear about young talent being involved with the main squad or see images released from training, the picture becomes more clearer of the strategy at Rangers.
Yes, it is about returning the Gers to the title-winning and trophy-laden club of the past but there are growing signs that Ibrox chiefs view the future as being just as important.
The purpose and primary function of football clubs having an academy is to nurture and develop future talent.
In the past Rangers have seen youth stars leave for clubs down south but they have been able to fend off interest from England to retain Rankin.
This highlights a new sense of commitment to youth from the higher ups at Ibrox and that even more young prospects will be provided a strong pathway to the first-team.
Rohl is putting his stamp on Rangers ahead of first summer as boss
Rankin is the third academy player to sign professionally in the same number of months with Glasgow announced in February and Scally, earlier this month.
That reflects the influence of Danny Rohl since his arrival in October as he looks ahead to his first summer transfer window at Ibrox.
As much as the German will look externally for new players who he believes have what it takes to succeed at Rangers, it is clear that he is looking from within.
Rohl evidently sees the integration of youth players into the first-team key for their development and it appears that the board are aligned with that vision.
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It is becoming increasingly clear that club are placing greater emphasis on their academy and that they view youngsters as future Rangers players.
The club want academy players to believe that Rangers is the best place for them to develop and begin their professional journey.
And in Danny Rohl, they have a manager who is not only behind but implementing that approach.
