Beating Bayern no fluke for Billy

BILLY KIRKWOOD was delighted for his Rangers kids as they came from behind to beat Bayern Munich on Saturday.

The Light Blues made the trip to Germany to face their Bundesliga counterparts in the latest match of their new games programme at Under-20 level.

Rangers have drawn with Southampton, Feyenoord and Manchester City already this term but recorded their most impressive result to date against the Bayern Campus.

Bayern finished top of their UEFA Youth League section as they overcame Celtic, Paris SaintGermain and Anderlecht to finish with 14 points from their six matches.

But it was Kirkwood’s side that emerged victorious at the weekend thanks to a Liam Burt strike and late penalty from Stephen Kelly.

And the Auchenhowie boss is confident the experience will stand his Ibrox hopefuls in good stead as they look to make the grade at the highest level in years to come. Kirkwood told RangersTV: “I’m delighted for them. We told them before the game the reason we take these games is to give them the experience of playing Bayern Munich.

“The team talk focussed on the fact it was Bayern Munich and not to be intimidated by that name.

“It’s a game of football and hopefully we are trying to teach our boys at Rangers to show these teams no respect and you go and take the game to them.

“I think we did that – we imposed our style on them, and I thought the opportunities we created in the first few minutes of the game were excellent.

“Credit to Bayern though, they went ahead with a really good goal but I thought our lads’ reaction to that was absolutely fantastic.

“I think over the peace, on chances created and the way we defended, we deserved to win.

“Hopefully now the lads carry this on to Scottish football and they take that confidence and develop and learn as human beings, but more importantly as Rangers players as well.”