We’ve had the usual back-and-forth about our forwards: who’s doing a job, who needs coaching and whether some of them are being used properly. The short version is this — don’t write off the youngsters, but be honest about the coaching and the system they need.

Why the recruitment conversation matters

People throw around goal numbers as if they tell the whole story. Stewart and Chermiti — both young, both scoring at youth level — are useful examples. One might be a tidy fit with the right coaching, the other might need more time, or just a different role. That’s the point Brentford’s model makes: recruitment isn’t just about raw figures. It’s about profile, potential and where a player sits in the system.

Connections, coaching and the system

Koppen’s links with Brentford weren’t cosmetic. Familiarity with their set-up helps explain some of our decisions. When you visit a training centre and see how they coach finishing, movement and press-triggering, you come away with a clearer idea of what players need to succeed. It isn’t binary — coached or uncoachable — it’s about fit and the work put in around the player.

So what should Rangers fans take from this?

First, be cautious with snap judgements based only on youth goal tallies. Second, recognise the value in a coherent recruitment and coaching pathway. Third, if you want a deeper dive, Matthew Bentham’s talk on Brentford’s recruitment at the 2026 MIT Sloan conference is worth the watch — it shows why recruitment strategy and coaching culture matter as much as raw output.

We’ll argue about signings and roles for a long time, as ever. But the truth is simple: give young forwards the right environment and role, and you’ll see a lot more of that potential realised. To be fair, that’s not a sexy take — but it’s the one that makes sense for the club right now.

Written by EHL2020: 15 May 2026

Tags: transfers tactics