Rangers youth system has seen another of its academy graduates take the next step in his career, with 18-year-old left back Cameron Scott completing a move to Burnley.
The 18-year-old has signed an 18-month contract with the English Premier League club, managed by ex-England midfielder Scott Parker, and will link up with Andy Farrell’s Under-21s squad following a successful trial period in Lancashire.
Burnley confirmed the deal on their official channels, announcing that Scott had swapped Scotland for England after progressing through the ranks at Rangers from the age of nine.
While the move marks the end of his journey in royal blue, it also highlights the strength of Rangers academy pathway in developing players capable of attracting interest from top-level clubs.
Speaking after signing, Scott admitted the opportunity to join an English Premier League setup was too good to turn down.
“It’s a great feeling to be here,” he said.
“When you’re younger you always want to be at the top clubs, and being at a Premier League club like Burnley was really attractive to me.”
The teenager also revealed that the presence of familiar Scottish faces around the training ground helped him settle quickly.
“There are quite a few Scottish lads around the building too, including Ellis Clark [ex-Aberdeen] who I played against for years and Murray Campbell [ex-St Mirren] who is from the same area as me,” Scott explained.
“I really enjoyed my two weeks here, the set-up’s really good and the training ground’s phenomenal, so it was a no-brainer.”
Scott’s footballing journey is an unusual one. Raised by a South African mother who encouraged him to play rugby, he only truly fell in love with football after a family holiday.
That passion led him to join Rangers academy at the age of nine, where he progressed through every age group before signing his first professional contract at 16.
Primarily a left-back, Scott is also comfortable at centre-back and left midfield, offering tactical flexibility that modern clubs increasingly value.
His development at Rangers earned him international recognition too, with Scotland Under-16 and Under-17 caps highlighting his potential at youth level.
For Rangers supporters, Scott’s move is another example of the club’s academy producing players capable of stepping into elite environments, even if not all make the final breakthrough at Ibrox. The pathway from youth football to professional opportunities remains a key pillar of the club’s long-term strategy.
Burnley’s Academy Manager Chris Casper was full of praise for the young defender, citing both his attitude and physical profile as key reasons behind the move.
“Cameron is a strong addition to our U21s group ahead of the second half of the season,” Casper said.
“He impressed with his attitude and technical ability on trial and with the physical profile to match. I look forward to seeing him fulfil his potential with us.”
From a Rangers perspective, Scott’s departure reflects the competitive nature of elite youth football. With limited first-team pathways available and increasing interest from clubs across the UK, young players often have to make difficult decisions about their future – particularly now Scotland is targeted by teams from down south due to post-Brexit restrictions on young EU players moving to the United Kingdom.
While Scott did not reach senior level at Ibrox, his nine-year journey through the academy provided him with a strong technical foundation, professional standards, and the exposure needed to earn a move to a Premier League club.
As Scott begins his new chapter at Burnley, Rangers will continue to focus on nurturing the next generation of talent at the Rangers Training Centre, ensuring the conveyor belt of young prospects remains strong.
Rangers are expected to receive a developmental fee for the full back, and a small percentage of any future moves he makes.