Craig Mulholland, head of the Rangers academy, is pleased that the club were awarded ‘elite’ status in the Scottish Football Association’s new Project Brave academy structure.

“We are delighted to have achieved ‘elite’ status following a rigorous audit by the SFA ,” said Mulholland.

“Through participation on the working group, Rangers have assisted in shaping Project Brave and we believe that radical change was required to raise the standards in Scottish Football. We are delighted to be playing our part in designing this positive new vision.

“We believe the changes that will provide the most benefit are; more clearly defined focus on ensuring the Scottish FA and clubs spend the finite resource available on developing the country’s best prospects .

“More ‘best v best’ opportunities for the top young Scottish players with improved competition on a weekly basis. The move to summer football for the under-11’s to under-16’s allowing our players to play on better pitches and in a better climate.

“The addition of an extra age group at under-16 resulting in a pathway with teams at all age groups from under-11 to under-16 and the introduction of a dual age band at under-18 allowing decisions to be taken on players at a more appropriate stage in their maturation.

“The possibility to examine ‘colt’ teams at the top end of the pathway to manage the transition from Academy to first team.

“We welcome these initiatives which will complement our own Academy strategy and ambition.”