Ibrox is perfect ground to grow ... and flourish

AARON NEMANE can already reflect upon a track record of rewarding Mark Allen’s faith when transported into demanding situations. Both parties will hope the pattern continues now that the winger has completed his loan move to Rangers. The arrival of Nemane is the first transfer overseen by Allen following his arrival as director of football at Ibrox earlier this month. Initially agreed until January, the deal provides a chance for the 19-year-old to stake a claim for first-team involvement under Pedro Caixinha by shining in the development squad. Further ahead, the temporary switch to Glasgow could also prove influential in determining where his career goes next. The Englishman is out of contract with Manchester City at the end of the season. The situation presents an obvious challenge for a young player yet to be blooded in the senior game. From his time as City’s academy director, though, Allen, who spent seven years there, is well aware of Nemane’s desire to progress. In 2012, Nemane was just 14 years of age when selected to make his debut for the club’s Under-18s. It could have been an overwhelming prospect. One that where nerves constricted any ability to make an impact against players far more physically developed. Instead, his impact in the match against Fulham was instant. Speaking at the time, Allen said: ‘This game is not about winning football matches. It’s about getting the maximum out of every individual and pushing them to see how far they can go — the latest of which was Aaron Nemane, who was 14 years old when he made his debut the other week. ‘It was a quite amazing debut. We were talking on the sidelines and we thought his pace might make a difference and then literally with his first touch, he put the ball in the back of the net, so we all had wry smiles on our faces. ‘It was no fluke as he followed it up with a brave header which for a 14-year-old boy in Under-18s football shows he has the temperament and he can cope with that arena. ‘Aaron was there on merit, he deserved his chance and it bodes well for his development.’ Born in France but raised in the Manchester suburb of Blackley, Nemane first signed for City after a successful trial aged 11. His subsequent rise through the ranks has been consistent — including goals in the FA Youth Cup final and UEFA Youth League. He made his debut for the Under-21s just weeks after his 17th birthday. There is, however, an obvious cap on progress at one of the richest clubs in the world. City spent £43million on Bernardo Silva this summer to further strengthen a formidable array of wide players. That glut of gifts has seen Patrick Roberts push through a return to Celtic on loan — rejecting alternatives in Italy, France and Spain. A further City winger, Brandon Barker, will spend this season at Hibernian, while Hearts have loaned defender Ashley Smith-Brown. The Allen connection makes it obvious for Rangers to join those mining the Etihad seam. Few could have a better insight into the qualities of young City prospects. Should the Nemane loan ultimately prove successful, it could help clear the path for others to follow in the future. Celtic have enjoyed a very fruitful relationship with the blue half of Manchester. Jason Denayer, John Guidetti, Dedryck Boyata, Olivier Ntcham and Roberts have all been recruited, either on loan or permanent deals, during the past three years. Rangers could clearly benefit from claiming a piece of that action, at whatever level. While the substantial carrot of European football is not theirs to offer this season, Ibrox remains a pressurised environment where growing up quickly is the only option. As Nemane may discover, the unconvincing start made to the Premiership by Caixinha’s side has only intensified that level of scrutiny.