U20 League: Aberdeen 1-2 Rangers

Zappa · February 10, 2014

Monday, 10 February 2014 12:45

Durie Seeks Another Positive

Written by Andrew Dickson

GORDON DURIE hopes Rangers’ improved form at under-20 level can lead to a better result against Aberdeen tomorrow than his team got when the sides last met.

The Light Blues were beaten 2-0 when they played the Pittodrie outfit in the SPFL Under-20 League back in September.

But that outcome came at a point when the side was struggling for form and it has picked up a lot since then, winning its last eight games in a row.

Durie’s youngsters have also gone 13 games unbeaten in all competitions and that sequence has helped take them back to their early-campaign position at the top of the table.

Gers travel to Peterhead’s Balmoor Stadium for a rematch with the Dons tomorrow afternoon in the title race, with kick-off at 2pm.

Ahead of the long trip north, Durie is looking for better morale and a more consistent return from his men to bring the group a crucial away win.

He said: “We’ll obviously be looking to keep our good run going but it’ll be a tough game because they beat us the last time we met.

“We were disappointed about that so this is a match in which we’re looking to get a much better result.

“Back then, we were having a bit of a dip but we’ve improved since then so hopefully we can keep our standards up.

“Winning breeds confidence and that’s what’s happening with us just now. The boys are looking forward to every game at the moment.

“They are pushing themselves a lot and the fact they lost to Aberdeen earlier in the year should be enough to motivate them.”

Durie’s squad has shown itself to be extremely driven in recent weeks as a number of players have stepped up and made notable contributions.

In that sense, he’s not having to do much to push them himself and is happy they’re taking care of that without needing extra encouragement.

As much as anything, the coach believes the chance to get games for the first team is inspiring the group and he thinks a good number of his players merit a chance at that level.

Durie added: “The gaffer has said that hopefully if the league’s won quickly, the young boys will get their opportunity and I’m hoping that happens for a few of them.

“With the way they’ve been going in the last few months and especially recently, they deserve that.”

http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/academy-news/item/6292-durie-seeks-another-positive

Super_Ally · February 10, 2014

“The gaffer has said that hopefully if the league’s won quickly, the young boys will get their opportunity"

Will be interested to see if that pans out as the league will be over very soon.

I was one who hoped we could keep the 100% record going throughout the season. When that went the undefeated record just wasnt as interesting, not at this level.

I would gladly take a defeat in the league with lots of youths playing if it meant keeping the squad fit, fresh and competitive (within the squad for places) in favour of a Scottish cup win. Not that the two are mutually exclusive, but our emphasis should be on the cup(s) now.

Zappa · February 11, 2014

As mentioned in the article, this game's on today at 2pm. Team news to follow....

Zappa · February 11, 2014