Rangers trio agree new deals

11 September 2012 17:26

Rangers manager Ally McCoist has handed new deals to a trio of young players in a bid to secure their long-term futures at Ibrox.

Barrie McKay, Lewis Macleod and Robbie Crawford have all put pen to paper on contract extensions with the Glasgow giants.

McKay had been linked with a move to Everton ahead of last month's transfer deadline but has committed himself to the Light Blues instead.

The 17-year-old has signed a new contract that keeps him at the club for another five years after arriving from Kilmarnock in the summer of 2011.

The striker made his competitive debut against St Johnstone in the last game of last season, before netting Rangers' first ever goal in the Irn-Bru Third Division in a 2-2 draw at Peterhead this term.

Macleod, 18, has started all eight games this season, while Crawford has been a regular on the bench.

The 19-year-old has made four appearances so far, including his senior debut as a substitute in the first match of the campaign in the Ramsdens Cup against Brechin.

Both players have penned contracts that will keep them at Rangers until the summer of 2017, having come through the ranks at Murray Park.

Macleod told the club's official website: "It's brilliant. I wouldn't want to sign anywhere else so to be here at Rangers is great.

"I've been here since I was 10 so it's been a long time and a big part of my life.

"Playing week in and week out in front of almost 50,000 fans has been great. It's a big difference from playing under-19s football.

"The tempo is much higher but when you play with better players I think you improve yourself. I think that has helped a lot of aspects of my game."

Speaking about the new deals, McCoist told RangersTV: "I'm particularly pleased at this piece of business because it's important we secure our young players.

"These three lads have been heavily involved with us since the start of the season and we're delighted they have pledged their long-term futures to the club.

"It's something we have been working on for a number of months now. I just felt that the three of them should be treated exactly the same as the other players in the squad.

"They are all good friends, they have come through the ranks together and now they are in and around the first team.

"So I felt if we could get them all tied up collectively it would be good for all of us.

"They are all good players and we are delighted with the progress they are making.

"There is a long way to go in their careers but things are going nicely right now.

"Lewis has had more game time than the other two but they will all have their opportunities."

Source: team_talk