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Chris Eadie enjoyed a positive campaign with the Rangers Academy last term and the young striker is determined to kick on in 2025/26.
The 18-year-old was part of Steven Smith’s side that won the Glasgow Cup against Celtic and he confidently stepped up to score a crucial penalty in the shoot-out victory at Firhill.
Lifting silverware with the Light Blues at such an early age is something he will always be proud of and he is already looking forward to the new season.
Chris is in his second spell with the Light Blues, he first joined when he was at primary school then returned when he was 12 following a stint with Hearts, and he is grateful to work with former Ibrox stars Smith and Kevin Thomson at the training ground.
Pulling on the blue jersey for the Rangers first-team is his dream and he has watched fellow Academy players like Findlay Curtis, Mason Munn, Robbie Fraser and Ross McCausland do just that recently.
He hopes to follow in their footsteps one day and is vowing to work as hard as he can to catch the new manager’s eye by performing consistently with the Academy teams.
Speaking as he showed his support for The Rangers Youth Development Company – who have provided more than £12 million to the Rangers Academy to date – Eadie reflected on his journey with the club so far.
Chris, who bagged the Academy Goal of the Season last year for his strike against Celtic, said: “I first came here when I was about 7 or 8 initially. I was then at Hearts as I thought going there would have been better for me at the time but when I got a bit older – when I was about 12 – I decided I wanted something different.
“When I left Hearts I was asked to come back to Rangers and a week later I was in and there was a game against Celtic away so I was straight back into it.
“It was quite nerve-wracking to play right away as I hadn’t trained with the boys but I still knew some of them from my first time here and it was exciting.
“So it was definitely the right decision to come back to Rangers.
“It has always been amazing to come in here and learn every day – even when I was wee.
“Coming in here is just a different feeling.
“You are close to the first-team and it is exciting to be here.
“You have everything you need to progress – great pitches, gym facilities, great coaches, sports scientists and physios.
“You don’t need to go out-with the building for anything.
“Jim McNee and Drew Todd were my first coaches here and they were a great help to me.
“Drew especially, as I was moving between midfield and striker and he taught me how to play as a striker.
“He was really good for me.
“My finishing has always been quite good and my passing and control is good as well and that comes from me playing in midfield so I can bring that into my game as a forward.
“I love scoring goals. Even as a midfielder I was getting forward.
“I now feel comfortable there. A lot of the time you have your back to goal, which was a bit different from playing in midfield and looking forward most of the time, but I am happy there now.
“I have grown and learned how to play the position and I really enjoy it.
“I love being at Rangers and I am learning so much from coaches like Steven Smith and Kevin Thomson.
“They have both played for Rangers at the highest level and know how it goes.
“It is good to get their feedback because they know what it means to play here.
“Stevie has come through the Academy as a player so it is good to have that experience in the building.
“We can get as much information from them as we can. They know how to get to the first-team and they can help us do the same.
“They know what Rangers is all about and the expectations here.
“At this club you need to win.
“You want a good style of football as well but you need to win and it’s good to hear that from them.
“Winning the Glasgow Cup Final last season was great.
“That’s two in a row now and it is good experience to play in games like that.
“I scored in the semi-final and a penalty in the shoot-out in the final so I felt like I contributed.
“I have never really been nervous taking penalties. It is just me against the goalkeeper and I back myself.
“I’ve also trained with the first-team a few times and it is really good.
“The speed is much faster and you can feel it right away but you need to get your feet and adjust to how quick it is right away.
“I loved it and felt at home there.
“I know I can go round there and do well and I took so many positives from each experience.
“It gave me a lot of confidence and makes you want to do better.
“We have seen players like Ross McCausland, Leon King, Robbie Fraser, Mason Munn and Findlay Curtis playing for the first-team recently and they have had the same path as me.
“They have worked hard to play for Rangers and that’s what I want to do.
“That’s the goal. You want to get round there and stay there and I will keep working hard to try to do that.
“I’ve learned so much in my time at Rangers in different competitions and games.
“I’ve played in league formats, cup games and Best v Best games and it all helps.
“I had a good holiday when we stopped for the summer then I was home and straight back into it.
“I did some light running when I got back and the club look after us really well and gave us fitness programmes to do.
“I always look forward to coming back in pre-season.
“My goal is to get round to the first-team and I will work as hard as I can to get there.
“So I will focus on that and see what happens.
“I am learning all the time and I like watching football – any football really – just to pick up things that can help my game.
“I like watching Harry Kane play. He is a goalscorer but he is also a playmaker and can drop back.
“I take wee bits from his game. We have done analysis on him before and I look at his runs into the box and positioning.
“So I am learning all the time and the facilities we have here are incredible.
“I know RYDC play a huge part in the Academy with their donations and we are all grateful for their support.”
Chris’ development is assisted by annual RYDC donations to the Rangers Academy and more than £12 million has been provided so far.
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