pete 2,499 Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 Walter Smith is set to hand highly-rated teenager John Fleck his first senior appearance in Sunday's Scottish Cup fourth-round tie with East Stirlingshire at Ibrox. Fleck, nephew of Robert, the former Rangers, Chelsea and Norwich striker, is still only 16 but has been a regular in Rangers' under-19 squad for the past two seasons. His bulky physique and battling style of play have drawn comparisons with Wayne Rooney, the Manchester United forward. He has been on the bench twice for Clydesdale Bank Premier League matches since turning 16 in August and The Herald understands the attacking midfielder will now be handed his first start. Fleck became the first player since Derek Ferguson to play for the Rangers first team at the age of 15 when he appeared as a substitute in a pre-season friendly against SV Lippstadt 08 during the club's pre-season tour of Germany last summer. He was highly influential in Rangers under-19s' league and cup double last season and has been a regular fixture in the Scotland youth setup. Ross Mathie, his coach at Scotland under-17 level, believes Fleck's progression can only be good for the Scottish game and praised Rangers for the way they have handled him. He said: I'm not going to say he's going to become the best Scottish player of all time, as he could get a serious injury or whatever, but he's certainly a player with great potential. "He's a smashing lad as well and very level-headed too. He played in our under-16 Victory Shield team when he was just 14 and then captained the same team the following year. "If he does play in the cup this weekend, irrespective of the opposition, it shows that Walter Smith has great faith in him and it is a great chance for John to show he can handle the occasion. "Walter and all his backroom staff deserve praise for the way they have handled John's development. They have nurtured him carefully and had him on the bench for a few first-team games earlier in the season. "They obviously appreciate they have a good player on their hands as they've prepared him well, both physically and mentally, since he first went to Rangers. "When a player at John's age gets the opportunity to work with the first-team squad then that can only benefit the player, the club and the whole of Scottish football." Good to see him get a chance. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gribz 743 Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 Yip, sounds good. Id also like Stevie Lennon to get a run out aswell. This game is a great chance for the likes of Gow, Buffel, Broadfoot etc all to play 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,145 Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 Excellent news - while it's imperative we win the match, this is a chance to play some fringe/young players to give them much needed experience of playing in competitive games in front of an expectant home crowd. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza_8 233 Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 That news kinda makes me want to go now. Never seen the guy play but I've never heard a bad report on him from bears who have. Lennon to play is a good shout too. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon 0 Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 Great news. Only heard stories or read reports. Only get to see the highlights, but hope he puts on one hell of a show 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
juffery 0 Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 Good, be glad to see him get his first game out the way. We'vebeen hearing about him for about 18 months now and he's still only 16. If he doesn't get some exposure soon the pressure that'll build on him for his debut will get ridiculous. If he doesn't get at least 4 goals on saturday, I want himpunted!!! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza_8 233 Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 Good, be glad to see him get his first game out the way. We'vebeen hearing about him for about 18 months now and he's still only 16. If he doesn't get some exposure soon the pressure that'll build on him for his debut will get ridiculous. If he doesn't get at least 4 goals on saturday, I want himpunted!!! Heh! I hope fans don't put to much pressure on the boy. He's only 16 after all! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
juffery 0 Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 Furman and Efrem to get a chance too. Kids In For Cup RISING stars John Fleck, Dean Furman and Giorgos Efrem have been named in Walter Smith's squad for Sunday's Scottish Cup fourth round tie against East Stirling. The manger has decided to draft the youngsters in even although there is no under-21 rule applicable in the premier knockout tournament. And there is every chance that one or all of them could be involved which could give the Ibrox fans a glimpse of the future. Furman and Efrem have both come from the Premiership, Furman starting his career at Chelsea and Efrem with Arsenal, and they have both been doing really well in the Murray Park youth department. While Fleck has been fast-tracked through the youth system and now regularly plays for the reserve team even although he is only 16. Indeed, if the nephew of former Rangers sriker Robert Fleck appears on Sunday he will become one of the youngest Rangers players to take part in a competitive match in the modern era. Both Fleck and Furman were double winners with the Rangers youth team last season clinching the Under-19 SPL title and thrashing Celtic 5-0 in the SFA Youth Cup when South African Furman was the captain. All three have been on the first team bench at various times this season and Sunday could be the moment for one or all of them to make their first appearance. KIDS GO FREE TO SUNDAY'S CUP TIE 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calscot 0 Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 Is it on the telly? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
juffery 0 Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 Nope, not that I can see. Tix are 15 and kids go free. If I wasn't working the we man would get his first Ibrox trip, 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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