STEVEN GERRARD is confident his Academy kids will continue to reap the rewards of their time away from Ibrox as Rangers utilise the loan market to give players vital first team experience.

Rangers have sent several members of their youth squad out on loan this term and have players operating at various levels across the SPFL heading into the closing weeks of the campaign.

Midfielder Stephen Kelly is the highest profile as he continues to make his mark at Ross County, while Kai Kennedy is impressing at Raith Rovers and the likes of Lewis Mayo, Ben Williamson and Kieran Wright are also plying their trade in the lower leagues.

And Gerrard is encouraged by the progress that many of his up-and-coming talents are making as Rangers keep a close eye on their performances away from Ibrox and Auchenhowie.

Gerrard said: "I think the experience they’re getting with game time on the pitch is valuable experience in their own personal development.

“We have some really strong relationships with teams across the country that we’ve loaned players too and they’ve done a fantastic job.

“We have a loan manager here and we discuss the loan players regularly in meetings.

"We see which loans have been a success and which haven’t been so successful. We’re very diligent in terms of what’s going on.

“We believe when we send players out that they’re still representing us as a club, so it’s very important we continue a dialogue.

“Myself and the staff are always in touch with the players. We always have that communication, which we think is important.

“We’re thankful and appreciative of other teams that take our players and do give them that game time to try and help their development.

“We demand that players go there and to represent this club in the best way they can."