THE drive through the famous blue gates always gave Steven Smith a buzz as a Rangers player. Now, as a coach, he appreciates the Hummel Training Centre just as much.

The former Light Blues left-back returned to familiar surroundings earlier this month to take a training session alongside Kevin Thomson on behalf of the Rangers Youth Development Company.

It is four years since Smith last pulled on a Gers jersey and the changes have been considerable as directors, managers and players have come and gone at Ibrox.

The arrival of Steven Gerrard has been the catalyst for a new era for the club and Smith reckons Rangers are operating in an elite environment on and off the park once again.

He said: “It was nice to be back in again and it gave me a buzz to see the facilities and the pitches that they have got. It is an unbelievable place. It was a really good setup when I was there but it has moved up a notch again with the new stand and the other work. It gave me a buzz so it was good to be back.

“It is just standards and Steven’s standards are so high. He has obviously come from a massive club and they have the finances as well, which always helps.

“But you have got to give credit to the Rangers board and the RYDC for providing the money to improve the facilities. When the manager wants these things done, the board and everyone else has to back him and they have done so.

“When I was there, it was a very good setup, but it did need work done to it over the last few years so credit to the club for backing the manager to bring it up to his standards.

“If you are trying to attract players and you have a manager like Steven Gerrard, you need to have the highest standards and that facility is one of the best about.

“There is a no excuse mentality there and the players have got everything in place for them. The standards are so high in everything from the facilities to the Sports Science and Medical to the gym.

“There are no excuses for the players not to perform and the manager has put that mentality in.

“They have got the best of everything and that is the way that a club like Rangers should be. It was great to be back there and see how good it is these days.”

After ending his second stint at Ibrox, Smith spent three seasons at Kilmarnock before he decided to hang up his boots last summer.

He has since launched his own Academy as he looks to pass on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of Scottish talents.

But the challenges of the climate have started to hit home for the 34-year-old and the kids that he has taken under his wing.

He said: “It has been going really well and there has been a steady progress. We are into the time of year that the bad weather hits so that is the hardest part for the younger ones.

“Unfortunately, when you live and play in Scotland, you have to deal with the conditions. But it is still enjoyable and as long as I am enjoying it and they are enjoying it that is the most important thing.

“It is quite difficult. I have got one class, for five and six-year-olds, that is inside and it is fine for them. The older ones, I try to get them outside as much as possible but the facilities are a bit of a problem.

“I have got one group on a Monday that, ideally, I would like to get outside but I just can’t get a pitch so I need to have them inside just now. I had to cancel all my sessions on Sunday because it was really bad weather and I use a grass pitch on a Sunday. You just need to play it by ear, see what it is available and see what the weather is like basically.”

*Rangers Academy graduate Steven Smith is pictured promoting Rangers Pools for the Rangers Youth Development Company and fans can sign up now at www.rangerspools.com.

Profits from this RYDC venture - in partnership with the Football Pools – is donated back to Rangers Football Club exclusively for the maintenance and upkeep of Ibrox Stadium.

For full details on all RYDC products visit www.rydc.co.uk or call 0141 427 4919. Fans can also download the Rangers Pools app at the App and Android digital stores.