George knows it is all about being patient
George Edmundson won’t be discouraged by Rangers signing an experienced defender that could limit his firstteam chances.
Sweden international Filip Helander is the latest man arriving to bolster the Ibrox rearguard.
Edmundson is only 21, and arrived last month from League Two Oldham Athletic.
He looks to be well down the pecking order behind Connor Goldson, Niko Katic and Helander.
But the Manchesterborn player is well used to defying the odds in football.
His back- story is a remarkable one of consistently being written off, but bouncing back for more.
There’s every chance he wouldn’t now be a professional player if he hadn’t taken part in a match that took place after he’d been officially released by Oldham.
He said: “My journey hasn’t been a smooth one.
“I went on trial to a number of clubs like Manchester United, Man City and Everton. But I was always told I wasn’t good enough or as good as what they had.
“I went to a development squad at City, but I didn’t get a contract.
“My coach there, Simon Cooper, went to Oldham. He asked me to come in and play a game for him.
“We won 2-1 and they thanked me and I went on my way as there were no scholarships left at the club.
“But two weeks into pre-season they let a boy go because of his attitude and asked me to come in and take his place on the scholarship programme.”
However, it looked like his luck wasn’t going to last.
He went on: “When it came to the decision about a professional contract, they told me they were having to let me go.
“We still had a few games until the end of the season and some lads just left because they were being released.
“I kept training hard and the last game of the season was a national final against MK Dons.
“We won 4- 0 and I played OK. The chairman and the coaches were watching and they said that I shouldn’t be let go.
“So I got another chance to be a professional and signed for Oldham.
“Now I’m h e re Rangers.
“I’d probably say I’m the definition of what you get if you work hard.”
Despite his Mancunian roots, Edmundson says he had an England top with ‘Gerrard’ on the back during the 2006 World Cup.
He’ll be hoping to impress his new gaffer in this afternoon’s friendly against Marseille at Ibrox.
He added : “Competition for places is what you want. You’re not guaranteed a place at club of this size.
“If I get the chance to play, I hope to do well and keep my shirt. I feel it should be like that.” at