RANGERS have expanded their Soccer Schools portfolio after announcing a link-up with Bangalore-based Gameday Arts Academy.

Kids from the setup travelled to the Rangers Training Centre for coaching sessions last week and held a Q&A session with first team stars James Tavernier and Ross McCrorie.

And Gers staff will also head to India to put on classes and help to develop young players with the Academy structure.

Read more: Rangers defender James Tavernier targets cup glory for Pedro Caixinha's side this season​

Rangers already have a presence in countries across the world and Soccer Schools manager Gary Gibson is pleased to have added another partnership to their ranks.

He told SportTimes: “We are absolutely delighted to have Gameday Arts Academy over in Scotland, it is the first group we have had at the club from India.

“It is a chance to engage promising young footballers and we look forward to building this association in the coming years.

Read more: Rangers defender James Tavernier backs brother Marcus to make a name for himself at Middlesbrough

“We are really excited about the partnership. Two tour groups will come to Scotland and we will deliver two camps in India. We will send our coaches over there and we are really excited about it.

“It is all down to partnerships. We currently work in places like America, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the guys at Gameday Arts saw our programme, got in touch and were keen to work with us. That is a real positive and a new market for us.”

The Gameday Academy is managed by the same team that runs the Paris Saint-Germain Academy in Bangalore and gives kids a chance to take their first steps in the game.

The group that travelled to Glasgow last week combined their time at Auchenhowie with trips to Edinburgh, Stirling and Loch Lomond and they also saw Pedro Caixinha’s side beat Hamilton Accies on Friday night.

Read more: Man City kid Aaron Nemane determined to make the most of Rangers loan switch​

And Gibson knows there could benefits for the first team in the future if any of the youngsters catch the eye.

He said: “All the Soccer Schools staff are always tasked, regardless of what country we are working in, with looking out for talented players.

“The group were here for ten days and they do a mixture of some training, games and cultural visits.

“But the big factor is getting to train at the Training Centre and they watched the first team play at Hamilton.

“If you look at the Soccer Schools, Aidan Wilson, Jamie Barjonas and Ross McCrorie have all come through that system.

Read more: Rangers defender James Tavernier targets cup glory for Pedro Caixinha's side this season​

“By attending a Soccer School, their progression was then into the Academy and now they have played in the first team.”

The partnership with Gameday Arts is the latest link-up that Rangers have put in place as they continue to expand their Soccer Schools programme.

It is part of a strategy to increase the club’s presence in communities at home and abroad and Gibson is pleased with the progress the Light Blues are making.

Read more: Rangers defender James Tavernier backs brother Marcus to make a name for himself at Middlesbrough

He said: “We are having a massive impact, and not just in Scotland. We have just launched in Northern Ireland and have got weekly centres and an extensive holiday programme as well. We are working internationally as well so it is all exciting.

“The big pull is obviously Rangers Football Club. The guys are excited to be here at the Training Centre and it is a massive selling point for us.

“We want to increase the number of groups we bring from abroad. Rangers is worldwide, absolutely.

“People want to talk about Rangers, about players, ex-players, and we have had great support through everything that we are doing. That is a real benefit for our department and we want to continue to grow going forward.”