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A host of players from Northern Ireland have enjoyed positive careers with Rangers and Academy star Callum Burnside hopes to follow in their footsteps.
Former Light Blues heroes like Steven Davis, Kyle Lafferty, Jimmy Nicholl, David Healy and Roy Carroll and Academy graduates Andy Little, Ross McCausland and Mason Munn have all pulled on the famous jersey and Burnside dreams of doing likewise.
The 18-year-old was born in Ballymena – like legendary Ibrox midfielder Steven Davis – and he enjoyed a terrific campaign with the Academy in 2024/25.
Capable of playing in midfield and in the forward line, Callum was a regular scorer and provider of goals for Steven Smith’s youth team last term and he played his part in the Glasgow Cup Final victory over Celtic at Firhill.
He first moved to Scotland from Linfield in 2023 and is thriving under coaches Smith and Kevin Thomson – two men who know exactly what it takes to play for the club.
The lifelong Rangers fan is grateful to learn from such experienced former professionals and will work as hard as he possibly can to emulate their journey.
In a wide-ranging interview as he showed his support for The Rangers Youth Development Company – who have provided more than £12 million to the Rangers Academy to date – Burnside reflected on his time at the club so far.Hesaid: “I came on trial with Rangers first of all and that’s me been here for two years now.
He said: “I was an Academy player at Linfield and the club have really good links so I joined from them and I love it here.
“It’s a huge step up. At Linfield we had one training pitch and I wasn’t full time and we trained at night as the first-team used it.
“Here it is obviously very different. I am in every day and I really enjoy using the facilities. Simple things like working in the gym makes such a difference.
“Ross McCausland and I have had the exact same journey from Linfield to Rangers and he has helped me settle here so much.
“He even stayed in the same digs as me and was always texting me before I came saying he was looking forward to having me here too.
“There is a lot of pressure here and you want to hit the ground running straight away.
“You want to show why you have been signed at the end of the day.
“I was just getting used to being here in my first season and I maybe had a slower start than I would have wished but I think I did really well in my second year.
“I hit the ground running last pre-season and it was a brilliant year for me.
“I scored quite a lot of goals and had a lot of assists so I was delighted.
“I can play in three or four different positions in midfield and the forward line.
“I started off as a holding midfielder, a 6, but as I got older I played as a 10 and then I moved out to left wing.
“I have a decent amount of pace and a good eye for goal and I was happy to get a good amount of goals and assists last season.
“I’ve played in a lot of different positions at Rangers and also when I am away with Northern Ireland so it is good to learn them all.
“I feel at home here and I have loved every minute.
“I would say winning the Glasgow Cup Final was my favourite game for Rangers so far.
“Beating Celtic was unbelievable. It was a tough game as we had such a young team out compared to them but we won on penalties.
“We dug in and found a way to win and that’s what you have to do.
“All our penalties were top drawer and I was happy to take one.
“I wasn’t nervous. I am quite confident in front of goal so I stepped up and just hit it as hard as I could.
“Playing at Firhill with both sets of fans was a good experience for us all.
“Playing in finals are the games you live for and it was great to win the trophy and celebrate.
“I played a lot of games last season so my body will need a rest this summer but I will work as hard as I can when I am back for pre-season and I am already looking forward to the new year.
“I also really enjoy working with Steven Smith and Kevin Thomson, the standards they set are just amazing.
“I have a good relationship with both and they give me great one-to-one advice.
“Talking to them about the things I need to work on to succeed here is really helpful and I am grateful for their support.
“They are unbelievable with me and are two top coaches.
“They always tell us where we can improve – in good and bad games we might have – and that is important.
“A lot of players from Northern Ireland have done well at Rangers before and I can take inspiration from their journeys.
“Steven Davis and I are actually from the same area so hopefully I can follow in his footsteps and do well here too.
“He is a hero in Northern Ireland and my dad always told me to watch him when I was growing up as he was an unbelievable player.
“He was captain of the country for so many years as well. Doing that and being so successful at Rangers is genuinely the dream.
“Northern Ireland boys live and breathe Rangers.
“You are expected to come here and do well so hopefully I can be the next one.
“I’ve trained with the first-team in the past and I thought I did really well in my first session so hopefully there is more to come.
“You have to be technically clean and everything has to be perfect.
“There is no time on the ball. You have to be sharp and on it all the time when you train with them.
“The standard is still high when you come back to train with the Academy but the speed is quicker at first-team level and you have to handle it.
“I hope to push on in the new season and get back round there again.
“Obviously I want to be a Rangers first-team player. I grew up supporting this club so it would be a dream.
“I want to go as high in the game as I possibly can for as long as possible.
“My family and friends are proud I have moved to Rangers, especially my dad.
“They saw me playing in the Glasgow Cup Final and I have great pictures with them. It was class but I know there is more to come and I will keep working as hard as I can to progress here.”
Callum is currently in Belfast on a four-day training camp with Northern Ireland’s under-18 side alongside Academy team-mate Blaine McClure.
His development is assisted by annual RYDC donations to the Rangers Academy and more than £12 million has been provided.
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