Rangers under 19’s defeated Kilmarnock under 19’s 4-1 at the Rangers Training Centre last night with second half goals from Cameron Fernie and Chris Condy adding to a first half brace from Kyle Glasgow.
Rangers had fell behind early doors through an Adam Law opener but recovered quickly to go in 2-1 up at the break, much to the delight of head coach Stevie Smith who said: “Their mentality was good to go a goal down that early. It’s a new group and Kilmarnock were really good.
“We were disappointed not to have been two or three up at half-time, but we fixed a few things at the break, the boys took the information on board and in the second half we were much better.”
The second-half was complete domination by the Swifts after a competitive first half but Smith explained that he did not need to change much during the interval to spark the improvements: “It wasn’t a lot of new tactical information [at the break], we just reiterated the messages that we give them all the time and made them believe in it a wee bit more.
“Limiting Kilmarnock’s threat in transition was key, and we did that miles better in the second half because we took care of the ball a bit more.”
After a defeat away to Hibernian in their last league match, the team have recovered to secure back-to-back youth wins, with last night’s victory following a 4-0 cup win away to Dundee United, and Smith, a graduate of the Rangers academy himself spoke about what he can pass on from his own experience to the boys: ““That’s why I’m here. I think I do have that experience of being a player here, whether it’s coming through the academy or being in the first-team side of the building.
“There are not many things they’ll go through that I’ve not been through myself. But it’s never about what I did - it’s always about them, how we make them better and push them to get to the first team and stay there.”
A lot is made about youth football being too focused on simple development, with results not seen as the be all and end all, despite a winning mentality being absolutely vital at a club like Rangers, but Smith was quick to impose that the young players in his squad know the importance of finding that state of mind.
He said: “It always has to be a balance [between development and results]. You have to win in the right way, and we did that tonight because we showed character and mentality.
“At first-team level that’s what it’s about. But we also need to develop them as footballers, to take the ball under pressure and handle different situations.”
Rangers conceded an early goal after being caught out playing out from the back, a trait Russell Martin’s first team have been guilty of in the early stages of this season and Smith was questioned on whether he had a tactical say in how his side is set up, or if the orders came from the men’s first-team squad.
He said: “When you’re a youth coach here at under-19s you’re the closest group to the first team.
“The first team staff and the manager have been excellent at passing on information, but they’re not adamant we have to play exactly the same way.
“What we can’t do is send players round the corner who don’t know what the manager’s looking for. So it’s a balance - taking the first-team’s principles and giving them to the players.”
Smith and his team return to KDM Evolution Trophy action for their next match on the 12th. Still searching for their first point in the revamped Challenge Cup group stages, Smith feels playing against lower league men’s sides is excellent for his team’s development, despite the lack of results so far: “It’s critical for their development. We’re putting young players into that environment quicker than in previous years, and of course we’ll suffer a bit because of that.
“But it’s about giving them exposure to men’s football, and if we’re frustrated with results we also need to recognise the long-term aim is producing first-team players.”
Tickets for their next match at the Rock are available via Dumbarton FC’s website.