More Of The Same Please

[ian1964 10,415]

BILLY KIRKWOOD has loved watching his U19 teams win domestic doubles for the past two years and has urged his current crop of emerging youngsters at Murray Park to make it three-out-of-three in 2009.

 

Despite having a young squad in comparison to other clubs around the country Kirkwood always believed his players would cope at U19 level this season and so far he has been proved right.

 

Kyle Hutton, RangersThe club's young guns are sitting three points behind league leaders Hibs after 12 games following their 1-1 draw St. Mirren at Murray Park on Dec 13.

 

Billy has been delighted with the spirit his team have shown so far but wants them to continue their progress and maintain the standards they have set.

 

He said: "I am very satisfied with the way things have gone so far.

 

"At the beginning of the season we knew it was going to be a younger team we would have at this level.

 

"In the previous two seasons we had a mix of older players who were in their last year at U19 level and a few younger ones.

 

"But this season, due to injuries to players such as Tom Miller and Craig McShea, we only have three older lads in Ross Perry, Arturs Vaiculis and Stephen Stirling.

 

"So we are asking a lot of our younger lads that are only 16 and 17 but they have done exceptionally well and hopefully that will continue.

 

"They have all shown that they can handle themselves which is very pleasing."

 

Hibs have performed consistently so far throughout the season, winning nine and drawing three of their fixtures to date.

 

Stephen StirlingIndeed Rangers only defeat of the season came at the Hibs Training Centre on October 4.

 

The 2-1 scoreline highlights how tight a game this was and Kirkwood insists there is little to separate the teams.

 

He said: "There is no doubt that Hibs have shown good form this season although they do have an older group of players along with Falkirk.

 

"I think they have nine or ten in their starting eleven who are in their last year at under-19 level so that can make a big difference.

 

"But we are tucked in nicely behind them and we are not too far off the position we were in last season at this stage.

 

"We are a couple of points down but also haven't scored the same number of goals so from all positions we will need to look at creating more chances and taking them."

 

Archie Campbell has been a stand out for the 19s this season, scoring two goals from 12 stars, but Billy still believes there is more to come from the talented teen.

 

"Archie can sometimes blow hot or cold but one thing he has been doing consistently of late is getting goals which is great credit to him. I think he now has nine which is a good return but we want to see him get more and continue to work on every aspect of his game.

 

"All the young players still have so much to learn and Archie is no different but if he can stick the ball in the net consistently that is a big asset for any club.

 

"You always get players who grab the headlines at different age levels such as Danny Wilson, John Fleck and Archie but the others in the Reserves and U19s have so much they want to achieve.

 

Archie Campbell, Rangers"Gregg Wylde, for example, is another boy who is in a rich vein of form and he was recently voted the Clydesdale Bank Player of the Month of October.

 

"So it is nice to see a bit of recognition spread throughout the team as everybody plays their part."

 

The SFA Youth Cup is another tournament in which Billy hopes his side can enjoy success this season and he admits that playing at Ibrox Stadium against Brora Rangers and Dumbarton in the 3rd and 4th rounds left his players buzzing.

 

He said: "The SFA Youth Cup is a great tournament because it lets the boys play at Ibrox this season and then the final is at Hampden.

 

"The experience of playing at big stadiums is something they will never forget and it's invaluable for the development.

 

"Our 6-0 win over Brora, followed by 3-1 win over Dumbarton at the start of this months were both pretty convincing and that is pleasing.

 

"But overall I think the boys have done very well both in the league and in the cup.

 

"They are still young and developing so hopefully there is a lot more to come from the after the New Year."