BRIAN GILMOUR never missed a step in his youth career as he progressed through the ranks at Rangers. The final one proved the hardest to take, however.

Now he is preparing others for the final stages of their own journeys as they look to make what they hope will be the leap forward from Auchenhowie to Ibrox in the coming years.

Capped at various youth levels for Scotland and a part of the side that lost out to Spain in the Under-19s European Championships in 2006, Gilmour rose to within touching distance of the Light Blues first team. But his big break never came as the midfielder saw his dreams dashed.

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Spells with the likes of Clyde and Queen of the South, as well as stints in Finland with FC Haka and at Icelandic outfit KA, followed before Gilmour moved to Ayr United five years ago.

Away from Somerset Park, he has returned to where it all started and is back in blue after being appointed to the Academy staff at the Rangers Football Centre last summer.

And the 31-year-old is pleased to have the chance to work in familiar surroundings and help somewhat unknown talents fulfil their potential for Rangers.

“It has been excellent to be back in this environment and to be able to learn from the coaches here,” Gilmour told SportTimes.

“I have progressed, it has been a great learning curve for me and I have really enjoyed working with the coaches and the level of player that we have got.

“I had a conversation with Craig Mulholland and he sold me the vision of the Academy as he saw it and now we are starting to see the signs of where that is and where it is going. It is a really exciting time and there is more ahead. It was an easy decision for me.

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“It is a place that I made no secret of the fact I loved working at before and I love working here now. For me, it is great to be great in this building and working with the quality of people in here.”

The move to bring Gilmour back to Rangers was part of a restructure that Head of Academy Mulholland put in place last year, with former Gers stars Peter Lovenkrands, Andy Little and Stephen Wright also coming on board at youth level.

All have varying track records and memories of their previous stints with the Light Blues. All have a part to play in shaping the next generation, though.

“I have always said I don’t think that link is absolutely necessary to have that connection with a club, but it is always a benefit to have it,” Gilmour said.

“At the end of the day, when you are talking about developing young players and young people, it is about sharing experiences and guiding.

“So the more stories and experiences and guidelines you can set out for the players the better. If that is someone that has had that, it means you have a level of knowledge that can be passed on and that will definitely be beneficial.”

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It is 11 years since Gilmour’s time at Rangers came to an end and he moved onto Broadwood to start forging a career for himself in the game.

He has returned to a youth setup that has changed considerably in recent times and one which Rangers have invested significant time and money into in a bid to produce their own talent season after season.

Gilmour said: “I think the young players are exposed to more in terms of one-to-one coaching, access to fitness coaching, sports science, medical, analysis.

“So it is more modernised and there are more levels for them to attach themselves to so there is as much detail as they require to become a top level athlete.

“I don’t think there is a comparison between the eras, if we were talking in ten or 15 years time we will have made strides forward again.

“I just enjoy the fact that we are progressing and the level of player we have in the building can only keep advancing if we continue to be innovative.”

It has been an encouraging campaign at 17s level for Rangers as players have taken part in the Development Squad’s fixtures and the Glasgow Cup has returned to Ibrox.

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For some, that Old Firm victory at Firhill earlier this month could prove to be the only silverware that they lift in Light Blue.

But the dream is very much alive for those under Gilmour’s guidance as the Gers proteges look to make their own ways into the Ibrox first team.

Gilmour said: “I think there needs to be hope, these young players need to know that the pathway exists and Rangers have always had that pathway for players to come through and play.

“I am sure, with the way that the club has moved in the last few years, the ones we have just now will have that chance and we will start to see the benefits of that on a Saturday afternoon at Ibrox.

“It is about maximising everything and the players are well aware of the opportunity that they have and they are very thankful for it.

“They show that in their work ethic and their application and they understand there is a real opportunity to move forward at this club and become very successful here.

“We provide them with a lot of tool so they are well aware of what a special place this is and what a special club it is.”

*Brian Gilmour is pictured promoting the Rangers Youth Development Company and their Rangers Lotto product.

Since 2002 RYDC profits have been directed to Rangers Football Club’s youth programme - with more than £7.5 million provided in the last 16 years. RYDC also donated £250,000 to the Rangers Academy in January.

For full details on their portfolio of products – Rangers Lotto, Rising Stars, Scratchcards, Stadium Bricks and the Youth Members Club - visitwww.rydc.co.uk or call 0141 427 4914.