Done deal: Arsenal sign winger after Rangers exit, Giovanni van Bronckhorst gave him debut
Rangers have had some exciting talents within their academy in recent years, but have struggled to keep hold of some of them.
Findlay Curtis is the latest name on the radar, having impressed in the Champions League qualifying rounds despite Rangers’ struggles under Russell Martin.
Rangers have had mixed results when bringing through youngsters. While they managed to recoup a big fee for Nathan Patterson, they had Billy Gilmour poached by Chelsea at a young age.
One of the better talents they had departed at the end of last season, and he has now joined Premier League giants Arsenal.
Archie Stevens joins Arsenal
Archie Stevens became the sixth-youngest Rangers player ever back in 2022, when he made his senior debut as a substitute against Queen of the South in a cup tie.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst handed him his debut off the bench as a 16-year-old, but the winger never appeared for the first team again despite impressing in the youth teams.
- Stevens was regarded as one of the best prospects in the youth academy when he made his debut in August 2022, but he hadn’t appeared in a matchday squad since.
- The teenager is a right-winger who provides a lot of speed and goal threat.
Stevens spent the second half of last season on loan at Dunfermline Athletic, where he made 11 appearances, before leaving Rangers on a free transfer.
Arsenal have now handed the 19-year-old a professional contract, after Stevens impressed on trial, and the winger admitted he was excited by the move.
“I went on loan to Dunfermline towards the end of the season and learnt loads there,” he told Arsenal club media.
“We were in a relegation scrap at the start, so that taught me a lot, and we managed to stay up. So I’ve seen a lot of things on and off the pitch.
“I can’t wait to show what I can do. Obviously, it’s such a massive club, so it’s a dream come true to be here, I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”
Rangers have limited pathway for youth talents
Another negative of Rangers’ dismal form on the pitch and the toxic environment at the club, is that it is difficult to give young players opportunities in the first team in such circumstances.
Ross McCausland came through the academy but struggled in the first team, and is now on loan at Aris Limassol.
Curtis has found himself benched for underperforming loanee Mikey Moore, but keeping him out of a winless side struggling under Martin in a toxic atmosphere may actually be better for his development.
If Stevens does end up making the Arsenal first team, there will be an inquest into how he was sidelined and released by Rangers, when giving him opportunities could have been beneficial on the pitch and in financial terms.
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