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Gareth Fullerton

Rangers FC coach urges young SuperCupNI stars to follow Charlie Lindsay lead

Rangers coach Cameron Campbell believes this week's SuperCupNI is a window of opportunity for his emerging young stars.

The well-travelled coach - who guided Right To Dream to the semi-final stages of the tournament back in 2019 - is now attempting to steer the Glasgow giants to a second successive Junior title.

Northern Ireland teen Charlie Lindsay was part of the Rangers side that went all the way three years ago. Leon Knight is another graduate from that side who has gone on to taste first-team action at Ibrox.

Read more: SuperCupNI Wednesday fixtures as youth tournament reaches midway point

Campbell hopes some of his current crop can follow in their footsteps.

"If you look at that 2004 squad from three years ago, Leon King was part of it and you now see those players making the first team," he said.

"So here's hoping in another three years' time some of these 2006 and '07s make that step because that's why we're here.

Souleyman Mandey and Archie Stevens celebrate their goals (Brian Little/PressEye)

"Charlie Lindsay is another who featured heavily in that 2019 Junior win, and he is playing tonight for the B Team. It is brilliant to see that progression as they go through the Rangers Academy because everyone wants to see these players have a good career in football.

"But the main thing is seeing how many of these young players can get into the Rangers first team."

Campbell's Junior squad opened their SuperCupNI account with a 5-1 win over Atlante FC on Monday. They backed it up with another commanding 4-0 win over Co Armagh.

Archie Stevens scored twice after Souleyman Mandey broke the deadlock, with Findlay Curtis adding a penalty after the break.

Linfield youngster Callum Burnside featured for the young Gers, while former Glentoran goalkeeper Mason Munn was on the bench after playing against Atlante on Monday.

"I am really pleased with the performance. It is tournament football which is really important," Campbell added.

"We challenge the boys to win any competition we enter, because at Rangers there is a pressure. Part of making the jump from academy football to professional football is learning to win.

Charlie Lindsay in action for Rangers at the 2019 SuperCupNI (Brian Little/PressEye)

"So the pleasing thing about today was the way they won. They looked like a Rangers team by overcoming situations as a team and as individuals, and there were loads of key moments today which were really pleasing.

"That's two good performances and two good wins. The guys have started well and they are giving me a headache.

"We have 18 players here and every single one of them deserves to start based on what they have done. So they continue making the coaching selection really hard, which is good.

"The pleasing thing is we can make subs really early, because we know we are replacing like for like in terms of quality. And it won't degrade what we're trying to do on the pitch."

Scotsman Campbell started his professional youth coaching career at Aberdeen and has also had spells with Right To Dream and FC Norsjaelland in Denmark.

The last time he was at the SuperCupNI was part of the prestigious Ghanaian academy Right To Dream.

"I have been around a little bit, considering I am still pretty young," he joked.

Co Armagh's Jack McKee and Glasgow Rangers' Archie Stevens (Brian Little/PressEye)

"I was actually at the SuperCupNI three years ago with Right To Dream, and unfortunately we were beaten by Valencia in the semi-finals.

"Valencia beat us on penalties and they went on to win it. I think whoever won that would have won the trophy that year. They were two good teams.

"Hopefully this time I can go one better and win the tournament with Rangers."

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