Ibrox View: Shocking Rangers stat reveals key flaw Gerrard must address in 20/21
RANGERS OPINION
There can be little doubt that Rangers still have a long way to go before they are capable of consistently challenging Celtic at the pinnacle of Scottish football.
While the gap has certainly closed since Steven Gerrard took the top job at Ibrox, this second half of this season has shown that there is still work to be done if we are to prevent 10-in-a-row next season.
But it would appear that we are lagging behind in other, less obvious ways too. 
According to a stats published by the CIES Football Observatory, the Gers have given the fewest number of minutes to players under the age of 21 out of any Scottish Premiership side this season.
Their paltry total of 1.7% is not only the worst in the division, it is a full 17% worse than Celtic’s, and 18.9% worse than Hearts, who lead the standings.
Now, obviously there is bound to be variation in these numbers.
Some teams have more younger players, some have less.
In fact, the only recognised senior talent under the age of 21 that Rangers currently have on their books, according to Transfermarkt, is Ianis Hagi.
But we all know that there is a wealth of young, exciting prospects waiting in the wings to make their mark on the first team picture.
From Nathan Patterson to Kai Kennedy to Nathan Young-Coombes, there are an abundance prodigious starlets knocking on the door of the senior side.
Obviously, Patterson was given his first team debut in the 2-0 Scottish Cup win over Stranraer back in January, while Football Insider report that Gerrard has already earmarked Kennedy youngster for a major next term.
And here’s hoping that both make their big breakthroughs next season.
A mark of any great team is their ability to bring through their own academy talent into the first team fold. It can help build proper dynasties at a club, as well as giving you a reliable source of income in the transfer market and local lads for supporters to get behind.
But at the moment, it is an area in which the Gers are seriously lacking.
Gerrard needs to address it quickly.
If he does, he could reap the rewards for years to come.
In other Rangers news, Gers SPFL battle set to undergo stern test at Tuesday crisis meeting.