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Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Son of Rangers hero takes next step in footballing career with first spell at SPFL club as part of co-op agreement
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KILMARNOCK youngster Cole Burke has joined Queen of the South as part of a co-operation agreement between the two clubs. The new system brought in by the Scottish FA this season allows Scottish players aged between 16 and 21 to move between their parent and loan club throughout the campaign. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 2 Cole with father Chris Burke after Youth Cup win at Killie Credit: SNS 2 Cole Burke in action for Killie reserves Credit: Rex It's to increase the amount of playing time for young players during a vital stage of their development. Cole, the son of Rangers hero Chris, has featured for Scotland at under 16 and 17 level, and made two appearances off the bench for Kilmarnock last season. He also helped Killie to the Scottish Youth Cup trophy in a 2-0 win over Dundee, with his dad Chris the academy coach. As part of the agreement, Burke will be able to move freely between the clubs and can be recalled by Killie at any time provided the club give Queens the prescribed amount of notice. Queens boss Peter Murphy said: 'The new scheme introduced by the Scottish Football Association gives younger players a great chance to develop whilst being part of a first team squad. "Cole who turns 17 next week is a player with a lot of potential, he is a key part of Kilmarnock's youth team and helped them get to the Youth Cup final last season. "Despite his age he has already been involved at first team level with the Rugby Park club. "We are delighted to have entered a partnership with Kilmarnock and look forward to seeing how that and Cole develops throughout the season.' Chris Burke came through the ranks at Rangers and famously featured in a programme charting young academy players progress at the club called Blue Heaven. He would go on to play more than 100 times for the Ibrox outfit between 2001 and 2009 and would also have spells with Cardiff, Birmingham, Nottingham Forest, Ross County and Kilmarnock. Rangers transfer special assesses whether Conor Coady deal is OFF, if Hamza Igamane will leave and when the Gers can expect more incomings The 41-year-old, an academy coach at Killie, believes the new system is a good idea. He told the BBC back in May: "The academy coaches, we all try our best to try and give them the best opportunity possible and I think with the co-operation loan next year, that will help massively. "I've seen it so many times in my short academy coaching career that I can tell when a player's already past that 18s level. "You don't want them to become frustrated and then to plateau out. "So, you want to challenge them constantly and to do that you need to push them out and let them play the men's game as much as possible. "Then, if they come back, then I believe they will become a better player for that. "I'm really looking forward to next season when that kicks in." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page


Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Kilmarnock youngster heads out on loan after club signs Queen of the South cooperation agreement
The 16-year-old has joined the Doonhamers in a bid for more regular game time Kilmarnock youngster Cole Burke is heading to League One side Queen of the South on loan after the two clubs agreed a cooperation agreement. The 16-year-old made two first team appearances at the tail end of last season, having starred for Scotland at youth level and helped guide Killie to the Scottish Youth Cup. The Doonhamers become the second club with which Killie have entered into a cooperation agreement, having previously sent three players to League Two side Annan Athletic. The cooperation system has recently been launched as part of a new SFA and SPFL initiative aimed at boosting opportunities for young Scottish players. It provides greater flexibility to the previous domestic loan agreements, by allowing teams a maximum of three players who are eligible to represent the Scotland national teams, to join a lower-league club but also be able to move between the parent and cooperation club throughout the season to increase playing time.


Edinburgh Reporter
4 days ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Eight youngsters sign their first professional contracts with Hibs
Eight youngsters have signed their first professional contracts with Hibs. Talented youngsters Cole Shankland, Arran McSporran, Reiss Downie, Jay Gallacher, Alistair Burns, Lewis McNeill, Callum MacDonald and Jaden Riddell have all committed their futures to Hibernian. Continuing their development under Gareth Evans, Darren McGregor and Guillaume Beuzelin, the eight players have all penned new deals with the Club and are now looking ahead to the new campaign. Centre-back Lewis McNeill joined Hibs in February 2019 from Musselburgh Windsor and has now signed his first professional contract after being named the Club's U16 Player of the Year last season. Alisdair Burns has signed his first professional contract with the Club. Brought in from Blackburn United Community Youth in August 2023, the young midfielder gained experience in Hibs Under-18s squad last season aged just 15. Right-back Arran McSporran has been capped at U16 level for Scotland and made his Hibs U18 debut at just 14 years old. The former St Johnstone defender, who joined the Club in April 2023, now signs his first professional contract at Hibernian. Former Lasswade Thistle attacking midfielder Reiss Downie has signed his first professional contract with the Club. The youngster, who joined in February 2019, has featured prominently in Hibs U19s and Development Squad's pre-season fixtures. 16-year-old Jay Gallacher joined Hibs in July 2023 from Lochend Football Academy and now signs his first professional contract. The young striker featured in Hibs U18 squad last season across the CAS Elite Youth League and Scottish Youth Cup competitions. Joining Hibs in February 2019 from Blue Brazil FC, full-back Cole Shankland signs his first professional contract with the Club after featuring in the U18 squad across the 2024/25 season while just 15 years old. 16-year-old Callum MacDonald signs his first professional contract with the Club. The winger joined Hibs in February 2019 after previously playing for Lasswade Thistle and recently won the 2024/25 U16 Goal of the Season award. Jaden Riddell signs his first Hibernian professional contract after joining the Club this month. The defender signs from Queen's Park and has been regularly involved in Hibs Development Squad's pre-season. Like this: Like Related


Glasgow Times
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Former Rangers coach joins Tottenham Hotspur first-team staff
Campbell, who spent the last year-and-a-half at RB Leipzig, will serve as the 'first team individual development coach' under Thomas Frank. He had previously worked at Rangers' training centre in Auchenhowie for more than three years, coaching the under-18s and taking charge of their professional development programme. He secured his position at Rangers after stints with Aberdeen and the Right to Dream Academy. Read more: In February last year, Campbell left Rangers to seize the opportunity at RB Leipzig. In Germany, he served as the head of player development, aiding the transition of youth players into the first team. As he left Rangers last year, Campbell signed out with an emotional message. He wrote on social media: "Privileged to have spent 3.5 years at RFC Youth working with some brilliant people on & off the pitch. "An incredible opportunity that I never took for granted, from watching academy lads play for Rangers & forging careers in the game to winning the U18 League & Scottish Youth Cup. "Overwhelmed by the messages I've received from players, parents and staff which have all been greatly appreciated."

The National
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The National
Former Rangers coach lands first team job at Tottenham
Campbell has been working at RB Leipzig for the past year-and-a-half but now makes the move back to the UK with Premier League giants Spurs. He previously worked at Auchenhowie for over three years as Gers under-18s' Professional Phase Coach, responsible for professional development programme for young players. He landed the job at the Light Blues after spells with Aberdeen and the Right to Dream Academy. Following the recent appointment of Thomas Frank as our new Head Coach, we can now confirm the full composition of our men's first team coaching staff ahead of the new season. — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 7, 2025 In February last year, Campbell took the decision to leave after the opportunity to work at RB Leipzig came up. In Germany, he has performed the role of Head of Player Development as he aided players with the transition of moving from youth level into first team football. He will now work with the first team at Tottenham, who announced the full backroom staff of Frank this evening. The Scot's new title is First Team Individual Development Coach. As he left Rangers last year, Campbell signed out with an emotional message. Read more: He wrote on social media: "Privileged to have spent 3.5 years at RFC Youth working with some brilliant people on & off the pitch. "An incredible opportunity that I never took for granted, from watching academy lads play for Rangers & forging careers in the game to winning the U18 League & Scottish Youth Cup. "Overwhelmed by the messages I've received from players, parents and staff which have all been greatly appreciated."