Rangers Reach Glasgow Cup Final – Rangers Youth Development Company

Congratulations to Steven Smith’s Academy side who beat Partick Thistle last night to clinch a place in the Glasgow Cup Final.

Goals from Callum Burnside and Chris Eadie earned a 2-1 win for the Light Blues who will face Celtic at Firhill later this month.

Smith’s side won the competition last season and will be determined to do likewise this term.

Reflecting on the victory, the Academy coach told RangersTV: “I just said to the players there that I absolutely loved the game.

“It felt like a proper game.

“We showed real quality in the first half and, in the second half, we had to dig in a little bit and suffer.

“We lost the goal to go 2-1 and it can become a bit nervy, but I thought we managed the game excellently.

“There were so many things in the game that I’m happy with.

“The first half was full of quality. I spoke to them before the game about their mentality.

We know they’ve got the quality and we’ve given them the tactical information, but once it comes down to this point of the season, in terms of semi-finals and finals, it becomes about your mentality.

“They put the three things together and produced a really good performance.

“In the first half I thought we dominated and we showed quality, but we knew there was going to be a reaction from Partick Thistle.

“They changed shape again and went direct with quality, which caused us a few problems.

“But we managed to be in control and we found our level towards the end.

“I’m not someone who really focuses on age or team sheets.

“I think the players noticed they were up against some experienced players, and they had Steven Lawless at the top end of the pitch who I played against.

“It’s a test for them, but no matter who they’re playing against or their age, I expect them to go and compete and show their quality.”

Callum Burnside, who opened the scoring, was thrilled to play his part in the hard-fought win.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted.

“I think we had a really good performance to earn the 2-1 win and we are into the final.

“We started really well and got two goals quite early.

“We have quite a young team now and they were older than us but we dealt with that very well.

“It is good for our development and is a different type of football.

“Personally I think I am playing quite well at the moment and I’ve scored a few goals. I am a forward thinking player and I need to try and score more and more in every game.

“There is a lot to look forward to. We have the Glasgow Cup Final and five league games left to play and if we win all five we will win the league.”