Ronald de Boer says Rangers must put faith in homegrown talent

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Former Rangers player Ronald de Boer has told The Herald that his former club should follow in the footsteps of Ajax and put faith in homegrown talent.

The Dutchman helped the Light Blues to the treble back in 2013. He joined from Barcelona for £6 million, according to BBC Sport.

Boss Steven Gerrard will go in search of summer signings that can help the Gers be more competitive next season.

Ajax knocked Real Madrid out of the Champions League this season with a plethora of their home-grown players in the team.

Gerrard has given sufficient game time to Ross McCrorie and Glenn Middleton this season, whilst other youth talent has also featured.

Ex-striker de Boer believes Rangers need to go down the avenue of handing opportunities to more youngsters.

He told The Herald: “I am in favour of giving the kids time. Rangers shouldn’t think they have to challenge Celtic right away. When you bring through your own players your club will be so healthy. It is also special for the fans to have local boys in the team. That is something special.

“If you put a lot of money into the youth as we do at Ajax then, in the end, you will get good results.”

The Gers look like ending the season without a trophy, leaving Gerrard with work to do next season.

TBR Verdict

The suggestion from former Rangers man de Boer is a romantic thought.

The Ibrox-based club has a proud history of bringing their own players through, but will it be enough?

Celtic will probably spend money on players again so Rangers will expect their manager to follow suit.

Gerrard is in between a rock and a hard place because he would surely love the chance to hone the club’s academy graduates, yet he will naturally be judged on silverware.

The challenge for Gerrard is to come up with a compromise between a squad of young players and a few quality summer additions.