Rangers to beat Arsenal to secure priority contract as 1st team competition demanded
Derek Ferguson has reacted to the news that Rangers are set to win the race to sign youngster Alexander Smith to a first professional contract to highlight the need for competition.
The 15-year-old attacking midfielder had been reportedly on the brink of joining Arsenal [The Sun, 22 February] before Fabrizio Romano reported on 28 May that the Light Blues were instead set to fight off rivals and secure a deal for one of Philippe Clement's "top priorities".
Ferguson is glad that Rangers are looking to keep good players with the "right attitude" at the club, but wants to see the process develop further in terms of academy products pushing for game time in the senior side.
He exclusively told Ibrox News: "Listen, we want good players to be staying at the club. We want players with the right attitude.
"So guys like that are going to get a contract and be there. But we need competition, we need boys who are at it week in and week out.
"We've not had enough of that. There's boys that flit around that first team, they're in, they're out, it's like the hokey-cokey so it is.
"We want players that can come in there and put pressure on the other lads that have got that jersey, the starting XI.
"That's what it's all about, we need that, of course we do."
Alexander Smith deal a key issue for Philppe Clement at Rangers
Although losing Smith to the Premier League giants would have meant a compensation payment it certainly looks like a positive for the club to be able to fight off such interest.
In an ideal world players such as the teenager would develop at Auchenhowie to the point where they can contribute in the Scottish Premiership and then potentially make a big move for far more money after playing their part in Rangers success.
The Gers have lost far too many players for nothing in recent seasons to leave them playing catch up when it comes to player trading so capitalising on the academy is vital.
If the Light Blues can seal this deal it should be satisfying for Clement but is only one step in a larger process which has to improve.
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