THE result didn’t go their way but the experience and lessons learned from their trip to Russia will stand them in good stead at home and abroad.

In more ways than one, the Rangers Under-20s are following in the footsteps of Steven Gerrard’s side this season.

The Gers were held to a draw and then suffered a defeat against Spartak Moscow as their Europa League campaign suffered a double blow over the last two continental encounters.

The matches for the second string weren’t played in front of the same crowds and didn’t have the same pressure but the results were just as frustrating against their Russian rivals.

The Light Blues’ Colts drew 2-2 with their Spartak counterparts at Forthbank last month on the day that Gerrard’s side fired a blank at Ibrox on Matchday Three.

And last week Graeme Murty’s kids joined their first team counterparts on the continent as they narrowly lost out 2-1 in the return leg just hours before Rangers went down 4-3 in a remarkable Group G clash.

It is all part of a plan to expose the next generation of Ibrox stars to different challenges on and off the park and to develop them tactically, technically, mentally and physically.

Winning is important, but so is learning. For striker Andrew Dallas, the Spartak tests have certainly been beneficial.

“I scored the first goal in the home leg and then Stephen Kelly scored a good free-kick but they ended up coming back,” Dallas told SportTimes.

“It was a good experience going over to Moscow and it made it quite realistic that we had to hold on to a 2-2 draw and push on to get the win.

“We were unlucky with the result but it was a great experience because we went to the game at night. It is a different way of living over there, their football is really good as well.

“The first team have been midweek and then weekend for a number of weeks now and we are getting used to that as well.

“It is a great experience getting to go away but you play your game on the Thursday, you recover on Friday, pre-match on Saturday and then game on Sunday.

“The first team need to be really fit and really look after themselves so they deserve a lot of credit for handling that.”

The mental and physical demands of playing European football whilst challenging on various domestic fronts can take time for experienced first team players to become accustomed to.

But Rangers are aiming to quicken that process for their up and coming talents by taking them out of their comfort zone as often as possible.

The Gers kids have faced some of the biggest names in the game at youth level in recent months and Dallas reckons the Moscow trip will be another major boost.

“It will definitely stand us in good stead and we need to get used to playing a lot of games because at Rangers you are going to be in European football and be in the cups until the later rounds,” he said.

“There is an expectancy to win every game and it is a long, hard season so you need to look after yourself and do the right things. The sports scientists can help you through it but at the end of the day you are the one on the pitch.

“That is the dream, to be playing in Europe with Rangers in big stadiums like that. We had the Spartak Ultras to our left and we could see the Rangers fans up the corner.

“They were loud right throughout the game and it is amazing how they travel home and away. It was brilliant to see.

“There was smoke and fireworks and quite an atmosphere and spectacle to be honest. Unfortunately we couldn’t get the result though.”

Boss Steven Gerrard has plenty to focus on at present as he looks to mount a Premiership title challenge, lift Scottish Cup silverware and progress as far as possible in the Europa League this season.

But the 38-year-old always has one eye on the long-term as Rangers attempt to build one of the most renowned academy systems in Europe.

And Dallas hopes his superb scoring form for the Reserves won’t have gone unnoticed as he and his Auchenhowie peers bid for their big breakthroughs.

“I have got 14 goals from 13 games, so that is a good return, and we are top of the league as well,” he said.

“It is going well for us and the boys are playing well. Some are starting to get opportunities round the other side and that shows that the gaffer is watching.

“If you are playing well, there are chances there, so the boys are in good spirits.

“I have been round training with them on numerous occasions and for the Spartak game at home I was lucky enough to be in the changing room before the game and at half-time to get a feel for the atmosphere.

“That was a really good insight and then I watched the game in the stand. That was a positive night for me and hopefully I can be in the squad this season.

“I just need to keep working hard and banging in the goals and you never know where that can take you.”

Gerrard has invited several of his Academy stars round to train with his first team squad this term as he has made an impressive start to life in the dugout.

And the Liverpool legend has already had an impact on Dallas as the striker has hit the ground running this season.

Dallas said: “You could see right from day one that he got a lot of backing and the fans were buzzing and the players were buzzing. You could feel it around the place and it has really taken off now.

“I have spoken to him a couple of times on the training pitch but I remember when we had a closed door friendly at the Hummel Training Centre.

“It was 1-1 against Morton and the gaffer was standing at the side of the pitch watching. He shouted ‘Andy, there is a winner in this for you, there is a winner in this’.

“Right enough, ten minutes later and with about ten minutes to go, I scored and we won 2-1. That meant a lot to me that day.”

*Rangers Academy striker Andrew Dallas is pictured promoting Rangers Lotto for the Rangers Youth Development Company.

Rangers Lotto costs just £1 to play, is one of the most successful products in RYDC’s growing portfolio and fans have won cash prizes of £10 million since it was launched in 1994.

Since 2002, RYDC profits have been directed to Rangers Football Club’s youth programme - with more than £7.5 million provided in those 16 years.

For full details on their products – Rangers Lotto, Rangers Pools, Rising Stars, Scratchcards, Stadium Bricks and the Youth Members Club – visit www.rydc.co.uk or call 0141 427 4914.

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Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here