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Three Rangers youngsters ready to make the step up next season

Despite enduring a tough season this campaign, Rangers can still take some positivity from the fact that they have a number of talented youngster making it through the ranks that look ready for a shot at the big stage next term.

With the financial restraints that the club are currently experiencing, the Gers should be making full use of their young prospects, to compliment whichever new faces they manage to bring into the club.

The past 18-months has seen the likes of Ross McCrorie and David Bates develop into fine first team players, but which trio of individuals are closely following suit?

Serge Atakayi 

Finland under-19 international Serge Atakayi will be itching at a shot in the first team next season having continually put in strong performances for the development side this term.

The teenager is an absolute live wire and would be the exact type of spark that the Gers have been missing up front when it comes to the big games.

The DR of Congo-born attacker joined the club in 2016 after interest from a number of Premier League clubs, but is yet to actually win his debut in a light blue shirt.

One of the hottest prospects in Scottish football, Atakayi is definitely a name you should be keeping an eye on in the near future.

Ryan Hardie

Having already made 13 league appearances for Rangers in his career so far, 21-year-old striker Ryan Hardie is another forward that the first team coaching staff should be considering for next season after the youngster’s strong showing on loan at Livingston.

Hardie joined Livingston in January and has scored eight goals in 14 league outings so far for the Championship side, an admirable return for such a young player.

The Scotland under-21 international earned his debut quite a while back now and has spent four separate stints on loan.

Having proven his ability as a first team goal scorer. However, it feels like the right time to reward the academy graduate with a proper run in the first team next year.

Robby McCrorie

Robby McCrorie will be looking to follow in the footsteps of his twin brother Ross and make his stamp on the first team if given a chance by the manager next season.

The 20-year-old has picked up invaluable experience away on loan with Berwick Rangers, amassing over 40 appearances for the club this season, putting in a number of man of the match, clean sheet performances.

Wes Foderingham is undoubtedly the club’s number one ‘keeper, but with Jack Alnwick and Liam Kelly as the back up options, McCrorie should have a real chance of cementing his place as deputy to Foderingham.

McCrorie is clearly highly rated at Rangers, and was rewarded with a new contract earlier this season which should keep him at the club until 2022.

As an academy graduate, he knows full well what the club is all about.

He will be a useful voice around the dressing room to help teach others exactly what it means to pull on the light blue jersey of his boyhood club.