RANGERS youth coach Gordon Durie reckons he has kids coming through at Murray Park who can challenge for a first-team place next season.

Durie and his players have kicked off their preparations for the SFA Youth Cup quarter-final with Dunfermline at Ibrox this Sunday.

And the nine-in-a-row great is confident it will not be the last time his charges take to the hallowed turf at the Govan stadium.

Cutbacks at the financially-troubled Glasgow institution are expected after chief executive Graham Wallace completes his 120-day review.

And that could mean that manager Ally McCoist has to rely increasingly on the Gers youngsters during the 2014/15 campaign.

Durie, though, is confident the new crop of Gers starlets will be up to the challenge if they are called upon.

He said: "A lot of them have trained with the first team and not looked out of place.

"Andy Murdoch made his debut a few weeks ago against Stenhousemuir. Charlie Telfer has been on the bench and Craig Halkett was a sub on Saturday.

"Luca Gasparotto was involved last year and just has to work hard to get his opportunity again.

"The good thing is that the boys all know the manager comes to all the Under-20 games and is watching for them.

"The manager will try to strengthen again in the summer, but it is good that a number of boys have come in to train with them and he knows what they're capable of.

"I know if they get the call they won't let themselves down."

Durie added: "It would be good to see if all these boys progress. That's what we're looking for.

"With the club not having the money we used to have to spend, we've had about six young boys involved, which is promising.

"It's up to the manager who he picks. But if he thinks the boys are good enough, he'll pick them."

Fraser Aird and Lewis Macleod have been regular starters for the Rangers first team this season.

And former striker Durie has defended the number of players Murray Park is supplying the manager with.

He said: "People tend to forget that Lewis and Fraser are still Under-21s. I don't think people realise how many boys we've had in and around the first team.

"It is always hard breaking through at a bigger club, but the boys have got good attitudes and they are seeing their contemporaries getting the chance so that is what they are focused on."