Rangers B team playing at Ibrox a ‘dream come true’ for Cole McKinnon
This Saturday (19 March) sees another instalment of the Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic but it won’t be the first-team in the spotlight.
Down in the Lowland League, Rangers B take on Celtic B in a big clash with thousands of fans expected to be in attendance at Ibrox to cheer the second team to victory.
The B team rarely play their games at the home of Rangers so to play their biggest game of the season at Ibrox is exciting the next generation of Light Blues talent.
Midfielder Cole McKinnon is relishing the chance to realise a childhood dream as a boyhood Rangers fan with a big crowd expected due to Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side not playing until Sunday.
“I can’t wait. I’ve been a Rangers fan my whole life so it is a dream come true to play at Ibrox – especially to play in an Old Firm match,” McKinnon said, as quoted by the Daily Record.
“Ever since the game was scheduled we’ve been buzzing.
“When we are playing at Dumbarton with fans there it is great so the extra numbers at Ibrox will make it even more exciting.”
Do it more
Playing at Ibrox shouldn’t be something that the B team only ever do when Celtic come to town.
If these teenagers really are the future first-team stars of Rangers, then surely you would want to see how they perform on the big stage on a regular basis.
You want these kids to get comfortable with a 50,000 seater stadium before it is jam-packed with rowdy Rangers fans on a big European night because they have to be able to perform under pressure.
Saturday will be the first big test of their character and van Bronckhorst will be watching with intent to see who can handle the pressure of Ibrox and who buckles.
Manager David McCallum has to ensure his players are ready to battle too because it isn’t just a game at Ibrox, but an Old Firm game at Ibrox and that is a game you do not want to miss.
In other Rangers news, Ally McCoist has reacted to the Scottish Cup semi-final draw which sees the senior Old Firm sides go head-to-head once again.