I'll be like a proud dad when I watch Connor playing for Rangers... he is coach's dream

Former Ibrox star backs protege to be smash hit in Light Blue

- KEITH JACKSON

THE irony is that it used to be part of his day job.

Identifying the best young talent in the game, then nurturing those players and getting them ready for the Rangers first team.

Kevin Thomson loved every minute of those responsibilities as a youth coach at Auchenhowie, until he branched out on his own into management at Kelty Hearts and unwittingly started the process all over again.

One phonecall to old mate Scott Brown set the wheels in motion as Thomson tied up a deal with the former Celtic skipper to take Connor Barron on loan from Aberdeen's youth system.

Barron now cites that move as one of the key factors in his meteoric rise at Pittodrie on the fast-track journey which has now taken him to Ibrox as one of Philippe Clement's new recruits.

And former Rangers lynchpin Thomson believes the 21-year-old has always been destined for the top end of the game.

He said: "I'll be like a proud dad when I see Connor playing for Rangers, knowing that I maybe had a good influence on his development.

"I sent him a text after the deal was done to congratulate him and tell him he was going to a special place just remember, the hard work never stops!

"If you were gambling on someone maximising their talent through being humble and hard working, the wee man would fall into that bracket.

"He's also got the mentality not to be phased by playing for a club of Rangers' size and that's so important for any young player."