It is not just money on the minds of Rangers duo

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By Gary McDaniel

Rangers' youngsters John Fleck and Danny Wilson have recently expressed their desire to ply their trade in the riches of the English leagues after turning down new contracts at Ibrox.

It has been suggested that this is maybe down to them having an English agent, but that I don't believe is the only reason.

The Scottish champions have not been noted in recent years for producing a conveyor belt of talent from their plush surroundings in Bearsden.  Many of the Ibrox faithful have questioned the youth set-up at Murray Park, but the arrival of both Fleck - and more recently Wilson - has shown some promise for the light blues.

It can be said though that Fleck has not progressed from the raw individual that was even being considered for the full Scotland squad only a matter of 10 months ago.  The nephew of ex-Rangers striker Robert Fleck, whose build resembles that of a young Wayne Rooney, has had off the field problems which many hoped have been resolved.

This season he has seen his first team appearances limited which is understandable as when he has had the chance he has failed to take it.

Danny Wilson may require to take note of the pattern that Fleck's career has so far taken but in fairness to the young defender he seems a totally different character.  Wilson has been courting interest from down south from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur in particular.  The 18 year-old has not looked out of place playing alongside the father like figure of veteran David Weir.  He certainly has a promising career ahead of him but it is still early days and typical of the media, me included, we must not hype up bright young players in the infancy of their careers, especially those that wear of the colours of either of the old firm clubs.

The pressure of playing for either of the Glasgow giants can get the better of even more experienced professionals never mind a teenager.  That is why it is maybe a good thing for both players to look at their prospects down south, particularly Fleck.

I'll give you both Chris Burke and Charlie Adam as an example.  Their timeline at Ibrox took a very similar route.  They both looked very promising early on but a combination of injury, illness and a draining of confidence led to them falling into the hands of the boo boys at Ibrox.  Charlie Adam had a bad case of the boo syndrome early on last season.  They both have since accepted the challenges of the Championship and they haven't looked back.

It could be said that the pressure of playing for Rangers eventually took its toll on both players and their form dramatically suffered.  The demand of the Ibrox faithful, particularly at home, can drain the confidence of any fragile mind.  They both needed a new challenge. Burke has been in sparkling form for Cardiff City, while Charlie Adam has been a revelation for Blackpool this season, so much so that Ian Holloway has given him the captain's armband.

These examples maybe praying on the minds of both Wilson and Fleck, as well as the money, but it could be beneficial for the national team if both youngsters decide to head south and breathe new life, especially for Fleck, into their careers.  It may seem that I am saying that Rangers can never give youth players a chance at Ibrox and maybe I am but this country can not allow promising talent to fade into obscurity.

I'm beginning to find referee columns in the daily papers a bore. 

Here we have ex-whistlers having the opportunity to speak out, when they were forbidden to do so when they earned their crust out in the middle. A pointless exercise which in my view sheds no new light on any controversial incident which usually occurs every weekend.  It seems to be an open mic for the likes of Stuart Dougall to have a dig at current players or managers.  They would be better served going out and encouraging youngsters into refereeing rather than publicly making the job seem what we always thought, a position for arrogant elitists.

Speaking of arrogant gits, aren't we glad to see the back of Jim Gannon aka the loose cannon?  A man who thought he could come in and ruffle a few feathers and rough up some referees and journalists. 

The Irishman (or is he) forgot his main job......... managing Motherwell FC.  It was no coincidence that when he started firing off volleys of uncalculated abuse that the steelmen's form deserted them. 

Hope you find some other nation which gives you the opportunity to massage your own ego, but you probably won't.