Anthony Onifade

Tue 30 May 2023 21:06, UK

Rangers youngster Bailey Rice believes he is good enough to get on the pitch for the first team and his impressive development may force Michael Beale’s hand during pre-season.

The 16-year-old sensation, who turns 17 in October, left fellow SPFL side Motherwell to join Rangers in June 2022 and Beale handed him his senior debut in February, playing two minutes in the Gers’ 3-0 win over Livingston in the Scottish Premiership.

Rice was also named in the squad for the Light Blues’ final Scottish Premiership clash against St Mirren on Saturday [27 May] but was an unused sub for their rampant 3-0 win.

Beale is understood to be a “huge fan” of the young defensive midfielder, with many at Ibrox believing that he could prove to be equally as important for the Scotland senior national team in the years to come.

There are high hopes for the Scotland Under-17 captain who is striving for more first-team exposure under Beale in the new season, and his recent comments certainly showcase a maturity beyond his years.

Speaking exclusively to Rangers Review [23 May], the youngster believes he is ready for a shot in the Rangers first-team and given his stunning development throughout the 2022/23 campaign, Beale may find this opportunity to establish Rice in his squad too good to ignore.

Rice said: “They give us an opportunity, so we need to take it.

“There’s no point hiding in training as a young boy or not speaking in your wee shell.

“You need to bring out your personality and show what you can do, you might only get one chance.

“I’ve been on the bench against St Mirren and Aberdeen and I’ve been thinking I’m good enough to get on the pitch any time now.”

According to a report from 90Min on 13 March a host of big-name clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester United and Newcastle United were believed to be showing interest in luring him away from Ibrox.

However, no Rangers fan will be wanting to see the back of a soaring Ibrox sensation, leaving the club before he’s even given a chance in the first-team picture.

If the Gers want to avoid such a disastrous scenario, giving Rice the indication that they believe in his abilities and development should be a priority this summer, starting in pre-season.

Rice has been viewed as a deep-lying playmaker but his awareness coupled with his defensive abilities make him an option to play at centre-back as well.

The teenager’s incredible talents and versatility are certainly what’s attracting interest from a whole host of Europe’s elite right now, but considering the exciting environment and promise shown throughout the Ibrox academy right now, the Gers should be hell-bent on keeping him.

The 16-year-old has certainly been around the block this season, featuring 14 times in the Youth Lowland League, six times in the UEFA Youth League as well as featuring prominently for the Scottish Under-17 side.

Rice isn’t the Scotland isn’t Under-17 captain for no reason, and the amount of games and minutes he’s accumulated already this season will only enhance his education, development and learning even further making him an exciting proposition for Beale to explore as he plans ahead for the 2023/24 campaign.

In other Rangers news, deal all but done for one Premier League defender as Gers closing to making official announcement for another Ibrox signing.