Kris Boyd has hailed Findlay Curtis as a shining example to young academy players at Rangers, and has praised the youngster's work ethic as he bids to establish himself as a first team player at Ibrox.
The Govan side are still winless in the Scottish Premiership and presently languish in seventh place as they gear up to host second place Heart of Midlothian at Ibrox on Saturday.
After being unceremoniously dumped out of Champions League qualifying thanks to a 9-1 aggregate mauling from Club Brugge and four consecutive league draws against Motherwell, Dundee, St Mirren and Celtic, some supporters are already calling for Russell Martin to be relieved of his duties
Speaking to Best New Bingo Sites, Boyd was quick to insist that the top team exposure Curtis is enjoying just now is a direct consequence of the effort and applicaiton shown by the 18-year-old.
“It’s amazing to see a young player like Findlay Curtis getting a chance with the first team, and he has grabbed the opportunity with both hands," he said. "Rangers have a great academy full of talent, and it’s nice to see them getting an opportunity to train and get around the first team.
"Findlay is a player who you can tell works ever so hard, and he is getting rewarded for his hard work".
Despite his tender age, Curtis has stepped up to the plate when Rangers have called upon him, contributing three goals in eight appearances, including the equalising goal away to St Mirren.
Boyd acknowledges that the Gers number 52 is far from a guaranteed starter, and may eventually need a loan deal to get the consistent senior minutes that he needs to develop.
However, Curtis' ability to impact games from the bench is an important asset to have for a Rangers team that have started the season in such poor fashion.
He added: “You can tell he’s a good kid, and he is enjoying where his career is at the moment. He could end up having to go out on loan this season if he wants regular minutes, but he won’t be worrying about that now.
"Right now, Rangers need him off the bench, and he has contributed with three goals."
Boyd believes that the rapid rise that Curtis has enjoyed from the youth setup at Rangers can serve as extra motivation for his fellow academy prospects.
The diminutive winger is living proof that hard work and dedication can earn a chance in the first team, and can spur more young players at the Ibrox club to keep grafting away for a top-team chance of their own.
“Crucially for Rangers, he is a great example of a great pathway between the academy and the first team, which is extremely important," Boyd said. "It gives all the other academy players a boost as they can see it is possible if they work hard, opportunities will come.
“They will have been training with Findlay last season or even done preseason with him, and now he has three goals for the first team. This is a huge positive for the club when there hasn’t been too much to celebrate as of late.”
