As has been recently reported, Kyle Glasgow has joined Alloa Athletic on a temporary basis as part of a cooperation agreement between both clubs. Rangers, of course, arranged a cooperation system with the Wasps some time ago. The aim was to supply them with good young development players who could return to Rangers on the basis of an agreement rather than an explicit loan.
Lewis Stewart set the example
The last player who benefited from this, and benefited well, was a player that Ibrox Noise had earmarked significantly. That was 18 year old winger Lewis Stewart. He shone in League One for a very robust Wasps side, who of course are physically strong, much like the other teams in that division.
That is to say we are talking about hatchet men and journeyman players. They are semi professional, with the occasional amateur type of player who does not exactly scream polished professional. Consequently, Stewart went there and shone among big bruisers, in many cases significantly older than him. He did not exactly set the world on fire with a ton of goals and assists. However, he did very respectably for a young player competing at such a tough level.
Glasgow’s chance
This is where 16-year-old Kyle Glasgow has ended up as well. The idea, of course, is that Glasgow shines at Alloa, which has a lot of puns in itself. He can then come back, potentially earn a new deal at Ibrox, show his potential and one day return to Govan as part of the matchday squad.
That is what Lewis Stewart will be hoping this summer. He earned a lucrative new two year contract. Whether he will be brought into Derek McInnes’s first team squad, time will tell. But Rangers do need wingers. Of that there is no question.
A valuable education
Whether Stewart has the ability to step up to the level Rangers need, we cannot be certain. But we would be keen for McInnes to give it a try. At the end of the day, he would certainly be a valuable squad member. His experience of playing against hatchet men and thugs in the lower levels of Scottish football can only serve him well. It should help him cope with the rigours of the Premiership.
Naturally, the pressure of playing for Rangers is far greater than at Alloa Athletic, with all due respect to them. The standard in the Premiership is also far higher than League One. But that all said, it does not really matter. The fact is he has come up against adults, strong men, strong players and physical players. He has matched them and delivered for a club at that level.
That stands him in great stead. We hope Kyle Glasgow does very much the same thing. We wish him the very best in his season or so down at the Recreation Park.