'No offence' - Four Lads names two first-team players not in Rangers long-term plans

Kieran Dowell and Ianis Hagi are not in the long-term plans of Rangers, according to Stevie Clifford.

The Four Lads Had a Dream blog and podcast host believes that the likes of Bailey Rice, Findlay Curtis and Zak Lovelace must be given more first-team opportunities.

Dowell and Hagi are first-team players at Ibrox, but among them have made just two starts from 12 apperances in all competitions this season for the club.

Speaking on the Rangers Review YouTube channel on 21 November, Clifford said at 13:00: “I would much rather see Bailey Rice or Findlay Curtis or Zak Lovelace, no offence, than Kieran Dowell or Ianis Hagi or maybe somebody that isn’t long-term Rangers quality or long term in Rangers plans. I don’t believe that them players are.

“I believe there’s too much wages spent on them when we could have younger players coming in.”

Rangers need to completely overhaul their youth development policy

It makes a lot of sense for the club to promote youngsters and have them on the bench rather than players who are not going to be there in 12-24 months.

While that might arguably weaken the bench, it sends a message to some of the senior players that the club are willing to be ruthless.

Too many players are on high wages and they’re doing very little to justify their earnings while youngsters in B team games are absolutely giving it their all week in and week out.

Rangers have an exceptional academy and it’s time that they make the most of it and have a proper manager who’s got a penchant for developing youngsters.

Philippe Clement certainly is not that man as he often plays players out of position, much to the team’s detriment rather than handing some of the academy kids a chance.

Things need to change quickly if Gers are to become a serious club again and regularly win titles, not just challenge for them.

In other Rangers news, an update has emerged on Nils Koppen’s remit at Ibrox and whether or not he can sack Philippe Clement.

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