Rangers have found themselves under increasing scrutiny in recent years regarding their handling of youth development. While the club’s academy has historically produced some exceptional talents, there has been a growing concern that talented players are either not being nurtured properly or are not being given the opportunities to succeed at the senior level. This has led to criticism of the club’s approach to its youth players, especially as a number of promising young prospects have been allowed to leave without ever truly realizing their potential in the first team.

One of the most striking examples of this is Alex Lowry. A player who, at one point, was seen as one of the brightest talents coming through the Rangers academy. Lowry, who was hailed for his skill, creativity, and flair, signed for Wycombe Wanderers in January 2024 with hopes of gaining valuable first-team experience. However, since his move to the League One side, he has struggled to even make the matchday squad on a consistent basis. This lack of opportunities for a player with so much potential raises questions about his development and whether Rangers made the right decision in letting him go. Lowry’s struggles at Wycombe are an unfortunate outcome, especially considering the promise he showed during his time in the Rangers youth setup. His situation exemplifies the harsh reality that some academy players simply do not get the chance to shine at the senior level, which may be a result of both the club’s competitive environment and management decisions.

Leon King, another highly-rated young player from the Rangers academy, has also found it difficult to make an impact in senior football. The 20-year-old central defender, who was once touted as one of the next big prospects in Scottish football, was sent on loan to Queen’s Park to gain more experience. However, much like Lowry, King has struggled to secure a regular starting spot. While he was known for his strong, commanding presence at the back during his time in Rangers’ youth ranks, his transition to senior football has not been as smooth as many had hoped. Now, at Queen’s Park, King has yet to truly make his mark, and it raises further questions about how Rangers have handled their young talents. Despite showing great promise in their youth teams, it appears some players simply need more consistent game time and the right guidance to fulfill their potential, something that may not have been provided at Ibrox.

While the stories of Lowry and King are disappointing, they are not necessarily reflective of the entire youth development process at Rangers. Some players, though not making it at Rangers, have found success elsewhere, which highlights a different aspect of the academy’s potential. One such player is Robbie Ure, a forward who spent two years in Anderlecht’s B team before making the move to IK Sirius in Sweden’s Allsvenskan. Ure’s career path has taken a different route, but his recent performances have shown that sometimes a change of environment can be exactly what a young player needs to break through.

Ure’s move to Sirius has proven to be a successful one, and his debut for the club could not have gone better. In Sirius’ first match of the Swedish season, they found themselves trailing 1-0 against Varnamo, but Ure was the key figure in turning the match around. The 21-year-old forward, who had previously struggled to make an impact at Anderlecht, provided two assists to help Sirius come from behind and secure a 2-1 victory. His first assist came with a beautifully weighted lob behind the Varnamo defense, setting up a teammate for an easy finish. The second assist was just as impressive, as Ure displayed excellent composure in the box, opting to lay the ball off to a teammate rather than taking the shot himself. This unselfish play and his ability to read the game showed that Ure was far more than just a target man – he was a complete forward capable of contributing in a variety of ways.

For Ure, this debut was the culmination of a few years of development. He always had the physical attributes that clubs looked for in a forward, standing at 6ft 2in with a strong build. However, in his earlier years, Ure’s physicality sometimes looked a little ungainly, and there were concerns about his ability to adapt his game to the senior level. Since moving to Sirius, Ure has filled out physically and appears to be growing into the prototypical target man that many teams value. But beyond his size and strength, Ure has also worked hard on his technical skills. His good feet and ability to finish with both feet have made him a more versatile forward, and his recent performances have shown that he is capable of playing in a variety of attacking roles.

Ure’s success at Sirius is particularly notable considering the context of his move. He made the decision to leave Anderlecht’s B team after realizing that breaking into their senior squad would be a difficult task with the competition ahead of him. While his time at Anderlecht was valuable for his development, Ure was not going to be given the same opportunities as players in the first team, and this led him to seek a fresh challenge. His move to Sirius, where he could secure a more regular starting role, has given him the platform to show what he is capable of, and he has not disappointed.

It’s also important to note the praise Ure has received from his new manager, Andreas Engelmark. The manager described Ure as a “classic nine,” a traditional center forward who can play a crucial role in the team’s attack. Engelmark explained that while other players in the squad, such as Milleskog, can play as a striker, they are better suited to playing out wide. Ure, on the other hand, provides the team with a more traditional target man, which is something Sirius has been missing since the departure of Salech. This type of endorsement from a manager is invaluable for a young player, as it shows that Ure is already being trusted to play a central role in the team’s attack.

Ure’s story is a refreshing reminder that not every academy talent needs to make an immediate impact at their parent club to have a successful career. Sometimes, young players just need the right opportunity to shine, and Ure’s move to Sweden is a perfect example of that. While Rangers may regret letting him go, Ure’s success in Sweden demonstrates that players can still thrive even if they don’t immediately make it at their first club. Ure’s journey also raises important questions for Rangers and other clubs about how they handle their young players. While some players may not fit into the first team immediately, it’s essential to ensure they are given the right opportunities to develop, whether that means a loan move or a fresh start elsewhere.

For Ure, his success in Sweden could be just the beginning of a promising career. He’s proving that with hard work, the right opportunities, and a bit of luck, young players can find success even if their original path doesn’t follow the expected route. His story is a testament to the importance of persistence and the belief that, with the right support, many talented academy graduates can thrive in senior football, even if it’s not at their original club.