Rangers manager Mark Warburton is keen to see local youngsters making their way into the first team picture at Ibrox, but warned there will be no sympathy votes on his part, as he looks for players who can make the grade.
A number of Rangers' youngsters have been knocking on the first team door and Warburton has regularly included midfielder Jordan Thompson and striker Ryan Hardie amongst his substitutes on match days.
Under-20s boss Ian Durrant and academy chief Craig Mulholland are confident about the quality of talents coming through the ranks and Warburton knows Rangers fans want to see their own on the pitch.
But the Englishman, who has a background in youth development, insists that the young hopefuls must be good enough to warrant a spot in the side.
"Craig and his staff are doing great work with the academy. We have to make sure that the quality is right", he explained to Rangers TV.
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"It's great to see a local boy coming through, but he has to be good enough. He has to be good enough to impact Rangers and play for the first team.
"So get the balance right, make the pathway clear, challenge them appropriately and hopefully get the reward.
"Supporters will always be more patient with one of their own, with a homegrown player. They want more, absolutely.
"But they have to be good enough. It can't be a sympathy vote.
"They have to come in and learn, learn from their mistakes, as we all do, and move forward.
"But they have got to have the natural ability, the hunger and the desire to play for Rangers.
"They have got to enjoy putting the blue jersey on, making an impression and playing in front of 50,000 at Ibrox – that's the aim", Warburton added.
Rangers sit top of the Scottish Championship table at present and if Warburton's men are able to wrap up promotion ahead of time then the Gers boss could choose to throw starlets in to prove themselves in the heat of the first team.
