Gers kid carpeted for attack on McCoist

[Norris Cole 0]

Youngest player in a Scottish Cup Final and has a winner's medal from said tournament.

 

Aye Smith and McCoist are really holding him back.

 

No blame here but for the daft wee boy who will no doubt grow up.

 

A late substitute's appearance in a season he barely played.

 

Christian Dailly played up front at Hampden in May. John Fleck has been held back.

[ian1964 10,724]

Rangers manager Walter Smith says he took the decision to drop teenager John Fleck to the reserves for reasons other than a training-ground bust-up.

 

The 17-year-old swore at Ally McCoist after the assistant boss criticised Fleck for missing a chance while being training-ground five-a-side team-mates.

 

Fleck thereafter missed out on Rangers' games in this weekend's Emirates Cup.

 

"It has nothing to do with that," said Smith after a 3-0 defeat by Arsenal. "I left him out for another reason."

 

Privately, Rangers are suggesting that Smith, who claims to have made the decision without knowing of the training-ground spat, has concerns about Fleck's general attitude.

 

So, while the first-team were losing to an Arsenal side inspired by two-goal 17-year-old Jack Wilshere, Rangers' own teenage protege was in Northern Ireland playing in a 2-1 defeat by Glentoran with the Scottish champions' second string.

 

Referee Brian Turkington forced Fleck to be substituted rather than brandishing a red or yellow card during that match.

 

But the attacking midfielder had been the star man, scoring two goals and setting up two others, as Rangers' reserves defeated Portadown 6-1 on Thursday.

 

And, on Friday, McCoist told Rangers' website that Fleck was sent with the reserves "for his own benefit" because he needed more game time.

 

MY SPORT: DEBATE

He has to remember he's not made it to the top yet and still has a lot to show what he has to offer Rangers

 

bluericksen

"The situation is that we want John to get games and that's why he has been given to the reserves," the assistant told Rangers' website.

 

"We felt it was more beneficial for him to do that rather than come to London and maybe only get short periods."

 

Fleck, the jewel in the crown of the talent emerging from Rangers' Murray Park training facility, made his first-team debut as a 16-year-old in a Scottish Cup tie against East Stirlingshire in January 2008.

 

Although he made his Scotland Under-21 debut in March this year, Fleck has to date made only 13 appearances, six from the substitutes' bench, for Rangers and has become frustrated at not yet having become a first-team regular.

 

And he was particularly disappointed not to feature last month against Nuremberg while Charlie Adam, whose future at Ibrox looks to be coming to an end, played in the pre-season friendly.

 

Fleck had rejected the overtures of Manchester United and other major European clubs to sign for his beloved Rangers, so there is little possibility of his dissatisfaction leading to a transfer request.

 

Instead, he will view Smith's decision to relegate him to the reserves as part of a steep learning curve and it is understood that he will return to the first-team set-up on his return from Northern Ireland.

 

Sent to Ulster along with Fleck was fellow forward Alan Gow, who it was decided also needed game time.

 

Gow has made just two first-team appearances for Rangers since moving from Falkirk in 2005 and ended last season on loan to Norwich City as they were relegated from the Championship in England.

 

Meanwhile, Adam could be poised to complete his protracted �£500,000 move to Blackpool, the Championship side for which he played on loan last term.

 

The 23-year-old was also missing from the Rangers squad for Saturday's 1-0 win over Paris St Germain.

 

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8180391.stm

[johnnyk 158]

A late substitute's appearance in a season he barely played.

 

Christian Dailly played up front at Hampden in May. John Fleck has been held back.

 

Maybe what has happened recently with what looks like him having an attitude problem being a main reason he isn't getting more games for the first team

[alexscottislegend 2,325]

Why oh Why can other clubs successfully groom young talent? Look at Arsenal, a club who can afford to spend big and sometimes do. They have 17 year old (younger than Fleck) Wilshere who seems set to be a first teamer this season. Is it just that we massively over-rate our young players, or is there really something wrong with our coaching? If a 17 year old can make it to EPL first teams, with far, far greater competition than exists at a club like Rangers, then there should be no reason why anybody half-decent should not get a chance with us. Indeed, we should be scouring Europe, giving youngsters a platform and selling them on.

 

It should actually be a selling point to join us. We can argue that if youngsters go to Man U or the Arse. then they could risk being on the bench for a long time. But then again, cream always rises to the top and maybe that's what happened with young Wilshere.

[Frankie 8,562]

Lad need to be patient. I don't think he showed anything particularly outstanding last season - certainly not enough to play every week.

 

He should channel his frustrations into better performances - not falling out with key staff.

 

Of course the words mountain and molehill spring to mind here...

[Gazza_8 233]

I dont condone Flecks actions but i think we should also look at McCoist and smiths ability to groom young talent.

 

This boy is supposed to be the best talent weve had comming through in god knows how many years and has been in the first team squad for almost two years. You can only feel for the boy given the lack of oppertunites he has been given. and IMO he only got them through smith capitulating to public pressure ans appeasing the fans.

 

Our management team have to take a right good look at themselves and the way they manage our kids. What ever they are doing just now isnt working.

 

Agreed.

 

WS has a terrible reputation for nurturing young players and giving them an opportunity in the 1st team. We have the decent young team but just about every player in the 1st team picture isn't a Murray Park youngster.

 

How many young players has WS given a chance to in both his spells in charge? He simply doesn't trust them which in turn is a kick in the balls to them.

 

We're being told that this is the season to blood the youngsters. I'll believe it when I see it. It'll be another season of putting up with LM at centre half when Weir or Boogie are injured.

[ascender 352]

What's his preferred position though, is it in behind the front two or as a striker? Like it or not, Smith has his favourites and last season a few of them being certain picks meant it would have been hard to fit guys like Fleck in, especially in their natural position.