Derek McInnes took full advantage of a free midweek in the calendar to organise a secret behind-closed-doors match against Dundee, handing invaluable first-team minutes to two in-form, goalscoring Rangers loanees.

Following the frustration of dropping two points in a 2-2 draw at Dens Park over the weekend, the Light Blues boss arranged a closed fixture in Glasgow to keep fringe squad members match-sharp while casting an eye over emerging talents across the club’s development pathway.

While the match ultimately ended in a narrow 2-1 defeat to Rangers – with winger Ross McCausland netting the solitary goal for the Gers and goalkeeper Liam Kelly producing a penalty save – the encounter provided vital exposure for a selection of senior figures and bright academy prospects.

Senior players including Ben Godfrey, Kosta Nedeljkovic, Vanja Dragojevic, Tochi Chukwuani, Findlay Curtis, and Bojan Miovski all featured alongside youth defender Conor Owen. However, the most intriguing inclusion came via the return of several starlets currently plying their trade away from Ibrox on temporary deals.

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Kyle Glasgow and Josh Gentles feature in Rangers behind-closed-doors match after goalscoring heroics

Having grabbed major headlines over the weekend by curling in a stunning screamer during Alloa Athletic‘s 3-0 victory over East Fife, the 16-year-old sensation Kyle Glasgow was brought back into the fold, according to Rangers Review. The attacker, who is benefiting from the loan cooperation agreement between Rangers and the Wasps, entered the action as a 45th-minute replacement for Curtis.

Glasgow was joined by fellow goalscoring loanee Josh Gentles. The 19-year-old clinical forward has been in red-hot form for Airdrieonians, adding another notch to his tally against Hamilton Academical at the weekend, and was rewarded with an opportunity to impress McInnes directly.

Additionally, defender Zander Hutton, who continues to gain valuable senior experience on loan at Queen of the South, was also handed minutes alongside the seniors and his academy peers. Glasgow’s Alloa teammate Max Cameron was so impressive against East Fife that he earned a spot in the SPFL Team of the Week, but there is evidence that he featured against Dundee in Glasgow.

With McInnes demanding a response and searching for consistency ahead of Saturday’s Premiership clash against St Johnstone at Ibrox, keeping close tabs on Rangers‘ flourishing loans offers an encouraging glimpse into the talent continuing to progress behind the scenes.