Last season, Malky Thomson's under-19 side struggled in every cup competition. Knocked out in the group stages of the CAS Elite League Cup, beaten by Clyde in the Glasgow Cup semi-final and suffering a disastrous six defeats from six in the KDM Evolution Trophy, cup competitions were clearly an area that required improvement this season.
A 4-0 victory over Gala Fairydean in the KDM Trophy last week, followed by a 3-1 win over Partick Thistle in the Glasgow Cup last night, represented exactly the start Thomson would have wanted.
Within the opening two minutes, goalkeeper Sam Reid was called into action as Partick Thistle striker Thomas Horn found himself one-on-one with the Rangers goalkeeper. Reid stood his ground and produced an excellent save.
A scrappy but largely dominant opening 20 minutes followed, with chances created by both full-backs, Zander Hutton and Arran Kerr, whose respective crosses were met but could not be converted.
The deadlock was broken on the half-hour mark when Luca Rankin finished neatly into the bottom corner after a driving run from Hutton, who provided the assist.
A second arrived early in the second half through Josh Gentles, who opened his account for the evening by curling an effort into the bottom corner from outside the box.
On the hour mark, the visitors threatened again with an intricate move that cut open the Rangers defence but, not for the first time, Reid was quick off his line to produce another important save.
That intervention proved significant as Gentles doubled his tally minutes later, putting the game beyond doubt with a delicate chip over the goalkeeper.
Thistle pulled a goal back with 10 minutes remaining as Rangers put themselves under unnecessary pressure during the closing stages. The goal ultimately proved to be little more than a consolation as Rangers ran out 3-1 winners and collected three points to begin their Glasgow Cup group-stage campaign.
The Perfect Start to Cup Competitions
Although winning the CAS Elite League made last season a successful one, Rangers' performances in knockout and supplementary competitions left considerable room for improvement.
Six defeats from six in the KDM Evolution Trophy were particularly disappointing, while early elimination from the League Cup and defeat to Clyde in the Glasgow Cup highlighted an inability to reproduce their league form in cup fixtures.
The opening two results of this season therefore represent more than simply consecutive victories. After comfortably beating Gala Fairydean 4-0, Rangers were made to work harder against Partick Thistle, leaving Auchenhowie with another three valuable points.
For a young side, those experiences from last season may yet prove valuable. Several players now understand the demands of knockout football, and the disappointment of falling short gives Thomson's squad plenty to learn from this time around.
With two victories already secured, Rangers have given themselves an early platform to build on as they look to turn last season's cup struggles into a more successful campaign.
A longer cup run would also provide the under-19s with more meaningful fixtures throughout the season. With several players currently caught between academy and first-team football, progressing in these competitions would guarantee further opportunities to play competitive minutes rather than relying solely on league fixtures.
For a squad containing a mixture of experienced academy players and others stepping up to under-19 level, that could prove particularly valuable as the campaign develops.
Experience in the Side – Good or Bad?
The inclusion of Arran Kerr, Zander Hutton and Josh Gentles proved beneficial as all three players contributed significantly to the victory.
Gentles, playing as the lone striker, made several contributions both on and off the scoresheet. He could easily have completed a hat-trick, having squandered a one-on-one opportunity and fired off target on multiple occasions. Despite those missed chances, his confidence never appeared affected.
Scoring a brace, with the second a composed chip over the goalkeeper, demonstrated the swagger and elegance with which he plays. He also held the ball up effectively, linking well with the midfielders and helping to create further opportunities.
Hutton and Kerr were at the forefront of most Rangers attacks while also defending confidently. The pair, operating as full-backs on opposite flanks, consistently found themselves as the spare man during the build-up phase.
Rangers moved the ball quickly from one side of the pitch to the other, allowing both players to come inside while maintaining their width and height in possession. That stretched the game effectively and created space for midfielders and wingers to make forward runs.
As effective as the trio were, there were moments when it appeared slightly too easy for them. All three spent time out on loan last season, with Gentles enjoying his second spell away from the club at Alloa. Each gained valuable experience in senior football and enjoyed productive campaigns.
This year, however, the trio are among the few older academy players not to have secured loan moves.
For Gentles, that is understandable given he is still returning from a long-term injury that kept him out for more than four months towards the end of last season. These matches will be important in giving the 19-year-old valuable minutes as he works his way back to full fitness. For Kerr and Hutton, though, the situation is less straightforward.
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Both are natural right-backs, with Kerr operating on the left against Thistle, and each finds himself in an unusual position. Given Rangers' defensive issues at first-team level, it is fair to ask why neither has been given an opportunity by Derek McInnes and, if that opportunity is not forthcoming, why neither has been sent out on loan.
Hutton, at 20 years old, is playing beyond the traditional under-19 age bracket, while Kerr is also older than many of his team-mates. At present, these fixtures appear to be serving the purpose of maintaining match sharpness while the club assesses the next step in their development.
Hutton was on the bench for both matches against Jagiellonia Białystok but has yet to make a league matchday squad.
Rangers must find a solution for both players. A loan move feels essential if they are to continue progressing their careers.
Sam Reid Saves Rangers
In a game that Rangers largely controlled from start to finish, it may seem unusual to highlight the goalkeeper as the standout performer.
With Rangers enjoying the majority of possession and spending much of the contest in the opposition half, it can be difficult for a goalkeeper to remain fully focused. Yet Reid did exactly that.
Called into action within the opening two minutes, the goalkeeper produced an excellent save. A pass into midfield was intercepted, a ball was played over the top and the Thistle striker suddenly found himself through on goal. Reid reacted brilliantly to preserve the clean sheet.
Had Rangers fallen behind so early, the complexion of the match could have been very different.
Reid was required again before Rangers scored their third goal. At 2-0, Thistle carved out another excellent opportunity and, had they converted, the visitors would have had renewed belief and been only one goal away from making it a nervous finish.
Instead, Reid stood firm once more with another superb stop. Moments later, Rangers scored their third goal and effectively ended the contest.
It may not have been the busiest evening of Reid's season, but his interventions came at crucial moments and ensured Rangers remained on course for another positive result.
RANGERS: S. Reid, Z. Hutton (Wark, 60), J. Reid, Owen (Ngwenya, 65), Kerr, B. Hutton, Fernie, Rankin, Lawson (Owoyomi, 71), Fergusson (Young 60), Gentles (Hall, 71)
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