Mia McAulay ‘delighted’ as she signs new contract for Rangers Women
Mia McAulay has said that she is “delighted” to have signed a new deal with Rangers Women as she lifted the lid on her impressive start to the season.
The 17-year-old has broken into the first-team squad this season under the management of Jo Potter and impressed in her debut campaign, making 13 appearances for the Light Blues as they continue their excellent start to the campaign.
Having only signed professional terms in the summer, it was a surprise to see the winger agree to a new deal so quickly, and McAulay has been encouraged by the faith the management team in Glasgow have shown her this season.
As quoted by Rangers TV (4 November) she said: “I am delighted to have signed a new contract. Obviously, I signed professional in the summer, but to have signed a new one so soon I am delighted, to know that Jo and the coaching staff believe in me. I am enjoying it a lot.
“I have come in as a young player not expecting a lot of game time, but through injuries, I have got the chance and I have been delighted with how I have been playing so I hope to carry that on. This has been a new environment for me, coming in through the academy.
“I think the older players have really helped me settle in and Jo has just been an extra help as well. We are in a great position at the top of the table, I think the girls and I just need to keep our heads down and just keep carrying on as we are going.”
Tied down
While harbouring and developing young talent is a huge part of running a successful football club, it doesn’t count for much if you are not the side to profit from your labour, should players move elsewhere in search of regular football.
What has been so refreshing to see in the Rangers side this year is that they have been keen to utilise their academy talent, while remaining a force to be reckoned with and that sort of development is what allows the Gers to offer players like McAulay improved terms.
Potter has put her faith in the younger players while also creating a senior core of the side to support them as they find their feet and judging by McAulay’s comments, it is allowing the youngsters to express themselves and perform to the best of their abilities.
Now Rangers have to continue their league campaign where they left it off before the international break as they face Spartans on Sunday (5 November). While they may not pose as tough a test as Celtic did last time out, Potter’s side have to win to ensure they maintain or even extend their gap to the Hoops at the top of the league.
In other Rangers news, Cyriel Dessers has admitted that he laughs at the criticism that he has received from supporters since moving to Ibrox