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Academy midfielder Calum Adamson enjoyed a positive loan with Alloa last season, and the talented Scot says he will return to Rangers a much better player for the experience.
The 18-year-old joined fellow youth hopefuls Callum Burnside and Lewis Stewart at the League One side for 2025/26 – Josh Gentles was also there before he picked up an unfortunate injury – and they all thrived in League One.
Andy Graham’s side narrowly missed out on promotion to the Championship, having lost to Stenhousemuir in the Play-Off Final, but Adamson loved his time with The Wasps and is grateful to the coaching staff for giving him the opportunity.
He played more than 30 competitive games, scored four goals and his constant energy and drive in the middle of the park endeared him to team-mates, coaches and the Alloa fans.
As it was a co-operation loan, he was still able to return to train and play with the Light Blues, making it a season of top-class learning for Calum.
He has a great attitude and is determined to develop as much as possible to help achieve his dream of playing for his beloved Rangers.
He came close last term, training regularly with the senior side and appearing on the bench for several Europa League games.
Players like Findlay Curtis, Zeb Lawson, Aiden McCallion and Ashton Scally all featured for the first team in recent times, and Adamson is keen to follow in their footsteps as soon as possible.
Speaking as he showed his support for The Rangers Youth Development Company, who donated another £300,000 to the Academy in February, making it more than £12.5 million provided since 2002, the Scottish youth international backs himself to make the breakthrough one day.
Reflecting on a fine campaign, he said: “The loan to Alloa was everything I could have asked for.
“It was the experience I wanted, and I definitely benefited from playing competitive men’s football.
“I wanted to go out and help the team win challenging games, and it was definitely a massive step in the right direction for me, Callum, Lewis and Josh before he picked up a knock.
“It was a great environment to learn, and I loved every minute of it.
“I went into it thinking it would be challenging, and it was a bit stop-start at the beginning as there was an international break and I was training with Rangers, but we found our places from last November and played a lot of games.
“We got our heads down and focused on playing for Alloa every Saturday.
“I enjoyed playing every week and found my feet in League One.
“I learned a lot from the older, experienced players. Things like being patient, holding your shape in match situations and playing in front of fans, home and away.
“It was all massively beneficial for me, and I can take that into next season, whether it’s going out on another loan or with the Rangers first team.
“I definitely feel I’m in a brilliant position going into the new campaign, whatever happens.
“Calum, Lewis and I were looking to go and make an impact with Alloa, and we did that. We all contributed in every game with goals, assists and performances, and we just came up short in the last match.
“I was proud of all the boys who took us through to the Play-Off Final. We set out to achieve that, and we nearly got them promoted.
“You could feel how much it meant to all the players, the staff and the fans, and I was gutted we couldn’t help get them up.
“The year was a massive step in the right direction for my football and even my personality.
“A lot of Academy boys went out on loan and will definitely come back to Rangers as better players for the experience.
“I enjoyed the loan environment, and I was also back training with the Rangers first-team quite often, so that also helped grow my confidence.
“You are training with top players, and I felt even more confident when I went to play with Alloa on the Saturday.
“Making bench appearances for Rangers just topped it off for me. I didn’t manage to make my debut but being involved in matchday squads has made me even hungrier to play for the first-team.
“I want to take the next step, get on the pitch and wear that blue jersey.
“That would be a dream come true. I thank the gaffer and the coaching staff for showing trust in me and putting me on the bench in the Europa League and an SPFL game at Dundee Utd.
“All the players at the Academy want to play for the first team, and we can take inspiration from Findlay Curtis.
“From the Rangers Academy to going to the World Cup with Scotland is extraordinary.
“He’s kept his head down and really is one of the most humble people I’ve ever met.
“I couldn’t say a bad word about Findlay, everything he has achieved, he has deserved.
“He works so hard every day in training, and when he got his chance at Rangers, he took it.
“He needed to get a loan to get himself minutes, and he did so well at Kilmarnock.
“He’s gone there and shown why he should be a Rangers player, and now he’s earned a World Cup call.
“Every young Scottish footballer dreams of doing that, and he’s achieved it at such a young age.
“He should be so proud of what he’s achieved so far, he deserves everything that comes his way.
“Going to Killie seemed to be a good destination for him and wouldn’t be a bad place to go if they look to take other young Academy players in on loan in the future.
“Fin flourished under Neil McCann and Billy Dodds, and they gave him lots of minutes. Hopefully, he can get on the pitch for Scotland this summer and show what he can do.
“He’s confident in his ability, and I am too.
“I’m confident I can play at the very top level. I’ve sacrificed so much to get to where I am so far, and I’m more than willing to sacrifice more and do whatever it takes to play for Rangers Football Club.
“It’s something I’ve dreamed of from a young age, and if I can do that, it would be a dream come true.
“I would mean absolutely everything to my family and me. I’ve dreamed of playing for Rangers since I was a wee boy, doing all the car journeys to training with my mum and dad.
“Lewis Stewart and I have shared these car journeys since the age of 10, and if we could get across that white line at Ibrox and play for Rangers, it would mean everything to us.
“I’m sure it would be an emotional day, but the best day of my life if it ever happens.
“Ashton Scally, Aiden McCallion and Zeb Lawson played for the first team in the last game at Falkirk and deserved it after successful seasons with the 17s and 19s.
“Well done to the three of them. I’ll keep working as hard as I can to do the same.”
Youth development at Rangers is assisted by annual RYDC donations to the Academy, and more than £12.5 million has already been provided.
Profit from RYDC’s online store and products like Rangers Lotto, Stadium Bricks, and The Union Jackpot draw all go to the Academy, while profit from Museum Lotto is donated to the club for the upkeep and maintenance of the Rangers Museum.
CLICK HERE to play Rangers Lotto (Over 18s only)
CLICK HERE to play The Union Jackpot (Over 18s only)
CLICK HERE to play Museum Lotto (Over 18s only)
CLICK HERE to buy Rangers Bricks
CLICK HERE to browse RYDC’s range of products
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