Mark Warburton feels his young Rangers squad are on a learning curve, ahead of their Scottish Challenge Cup encounter against St Mirren on Saturday, while saluting Gedion Zelalem, dismissing fan criticism over the Arsenal loanee's physical shape.
The Gers, who drew 1-1 against Livingston in the Scottish Championship at the weekend, signed a number of young prospects in the summer, with the average age of the new recruits being below 22.
However, the youngsters have performed admirably for Rangers as the Ibrox outfit currently find themselves top of the league.
And Warburton, who feels the starlets have already learnt a lot and are enjoying donning Rangers’ jersey, reserved special praise for Zelalem.
The 18-year-old joined the Scottish giants on a season-long loan deal from Arsenal, and the manager backed the midfielder to become a better player over the coming years.
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“Very much so [our players will only get better] and we have to remember the ages”, Warburton told Rangers TV.
“The eleven players that came in over the summer, the average age is below 22, so it’s a very important fact that they are learning.
“One fan said to me that Gedion looked too weak physically. He’s 18 with tremendous technical skills but he’s developing. He’s developing physically and he’ll be a different shape in two years’ time.
“The work he is doing every day here with the guys will impact on him in a positive manner.
“So they have to recognise they are young but they are learning the game and relishing the responsibility of being a Rangers player. They’ve learned a lot in a short period of time.”
Rangers, who have lost just two competitive fixtures this season, will resume their league campaign with a home game against Dumbarton on Tuesday.
