THE Rangers kids can get the Ibrox club off to a winning start in the Second Division next season – if trialists are banned from being involved.

Gers boss Ally McCoist had hoped to be able to field some of his new signings in competitive matches before the SFA transfer embargo ends on August 31.

SFL rules allowed clubs to field an unregistered player as a trialist in a league match – or a League Cup game – on three occasions.

But the lower league clubs voted to merge with their SPL counterparts and form the SPFL in a historic AGM at Hampden on Wednesday afternoon.

And the proposed rulebook of the new governing body would prohibit trialists from playing in any of their competitive matches.

That would mean Cammy Bell, Jon Daly, Nicky Clark and Nicky Law will not be able to take part in any competitive fixtures.

No matter what, Arnold Peralta, the Honduran international midfielder who has signed from Vida, will be unable to play as trialists must have been previously registered in Scotland.

It looks like youngsters such as Fraser Aird, Robbie Crawford and Kal Naismith will once again form the backbone of the Light Blues team as the 2013-14 campaign gets underway.

But Lewis Macleod, who was named Rangers' Young Player of the Year last season after a string of fine displays, is convinced they can help ensure a successful start.

In fact, the 18-year-old, from Newmains, reckons they will be able to avoid any of the slip-ups that blighted the beginning of their Third Division title challenge.

He said: "Hopefully all of the young boys who have been involved in the team in the last season can continue to feature as the club goes up the leagues.

"We all knew the club was going to bring new players in on free transfers as soon as the season ended.

"But it is down to us as individuals to do enough to make the manager pick us.

"That is certainly what I am intending to do.

"I would be delighted if I could keep my place in the team next season and as we make our way up the leagues in the seasons to come.

"I don't see any reason why the young players who have featured can't continue to play a part in the team even though the club has strengthened.

"If they are performing as well as they can in training and in matches then they will give the gaffer difficult decisions to make in his team selection.

"It is down to the gaffer who he chooses to play, but the young boys who have come in have enough potential to keep performing as they move through the leagues."

Rangers midfielder Macleod missed most of the second half of last season after suffering a serious knee injury in a league game in January.

He came back in the final game against Berwick Rangers and joined in with the celebrations after captain Lee McCulloch was presented with the trophy.

And he admits he is looking forward to playing a big part as Rangers try to get back into the top flight in the seasons to come.

He said: "I am delighted to have been involved. I have played far more than I thought that I would. Hopefully that can continue."