Clement comments ‘really interesting’ as Stevie Clifford singles out Rangers gem
Rangers youngsters are beginning to seep into the first-team set-up as Philippe Clement continues to lower the average age of the squad.
Mason Munn, Leon King, Clinton Nsiala, Findlay Curtis and Paul Nsio have all been given opportunities to prove themselves on a much bigger stage, even against Manchester United in the Europa League.
Young players are clearly a very big focus at Ibrox, with Nils Koppen choosing to abandon the B team, rather sending the prospects out on loan or giving them a chance at senior level.
This has worked out so far, with multiple academy graduates making their first-team debut in recent weeks, but Clement is still wary about utilising them too much at Ibrox.
Philippe Clement still cautious of Bailey Rice
Bailey Rice, 18, has emerged as one of the club’s most promising young players, but with plenty of his game still to work on, Clement has already spoken about the idea of him being given more minutes.
Speaking via The Rangers Review YouTube channel [8 February], Clifford said: “I thought Philippe Clement’s comment was really interesting on Sunday.
“I spoke to him about Bailey Rice and he said ‘Rice has a lot to learn off the ball’ and about the importance of not floating around in games. That’s really interesting because I picked up on that.
“I’m not in any way a footballer or a scout, but with Bailey Rice, I’ve felt like that. He’s excellent on the ball, fantastic on the ball, a really good left foot with an eye to break the lines.
“He’s got vision and talent, but off the ball, can he work harder? Can he be better positionally? If he’s a No.6, he needs to be more disciplined in what he’s doing.”
Rangers gem ready for more first-team minutes
Rice now has six senior appearances to his name, having become a star in the Rangers B team, but his lack of experience away from Ibrox and at a senior level might be coming at a cost.
That is exactly why Koppen has made such a drastic change, and the 18-year-old’s career path so far might suggest a loan move was the best plan during the winter transfer window.
However, Rice is still in the squad at Ibrox, gaining more and more minutes under Clement, but if he wants to continue getting those chances, it is clear he’s been told where to improve his game.
Given that he is staying in Glasgow, the talented midfielder can begin to learn from the likes of Connor Barron, Mohamed Diomande and Nico Raskin, all of whom are starring in the first team.
With Lyall Cameron now set to join the ranks at Ibrox in the summer, it might be just that bit harder for Rice to gain a foothold in the squad, once again suggesting that a loan spell might be his best plan of action.