Young guns need a silver streak

Apr 27 2008 By Mark Guidi

RANGERS youth supremo Jim Sinclair watched his young guns lift back-to-back doubles at Hampden in midweek then admitted: "We can't just breed players - we have to breed winners."

The former SFA top dog was brought in two years ago to revolutionise Murray Park's production line.

And although the true measure of any youth set-up is reflected in the club's first team Sinclair insists talent alone won't get them there.

A John Fleck double and a back heel from Andrew Little saw Gers beat Celtic to the Youth Cup in extra time after trailing 1-0 with just seconds left.

But Sinclair admitted: "I was a bit disappointed because the lads didn't perform the way they can.

"Still, they have added a bit of resilience and dug in to win. That's probably an attitude that exists from the first team downwards at the club. A player reared through the ranks at Rangers has to be used to competing in finals and winning leagues."

Full-back William McLachlan reckons the 3-1 Old Firm victory proved a spine of steel runs through every dressing-room in Murray Park.

He said: "What you saw at Hampden proves it's not just the first team who know how to dig deep."

Skipper Andrew Shinnie added: "We all take note of what you need to do to play for Rangers."

Playmaker Fleck has been hotly tipped to be the next kid to make the big break at Ibrox. And despite a desperately quiet game on Wednesday he showed that flicker of greatness when it really mattered.

Seven seconds of normal time left, Gers down by a goal, out on their feet. Suddenly 16-year-old Fleck has beaten four men and drilled one high past the keeper to take the game into extra time.

Then after 120 minutes he found the energy for an 80-yard run and finish with the Hoops keeper stranded at the other end for a last-ditch corner.

Sinclair (right) said: "When it mattered John dug it out. Few players could score that kind of goal to keep the match alive then have the presence of mind to score the third like that.

"I've been asked the question 100 times - who'll be next? That's up to the manager. All we can do is produce and hope Walter Smith likes what he sees.

"We're going into our third year and I'd like to think we have a batch of Under-21s who will be as good as any in the country.

"The acid test is how they kick on."