Bailey Rice endures relentless Rangers schedule as wonderkid squeezes four games into five days

Rangers history maker Bailey Rice has completed his fourth game in just a five day period as he continues his relentless push for the top.

The 16-year-old was handed his first team debut by Michael Beale during the 3-0 win over Livingston as he climbed off the bench in West Lothian less than 24 hours after he led Scotland's under-17 side to 7-0 rout of Switzerland in Spain. The versatile midfielder jumped on a plane back to Glasgow to make history and become the youngster ever player to feature for Rangers in the league.

There was barely any time for Rice to relish his big moment as he was part of the a young Light Blues' side who jetted out to Morocco to take part in an under-19s tournament - where he played in two matches on Tuesday. However, both games were limited to 50 minutes He couldn't prevent a 4-2 defeat to hosts Academie Mohammed VI De Football in the opening game of the game.

But the Rangers' kids enjoyed more success in the second fixture. They saw off Marseille 2-1 with Zak Lovelace netting twice. It's been a whirlwind season for Rice, who only joined from Motherwell in the summer. Following his debut against Livingston, boss Beale was full of praise for the teenager: "It’s not often a young boy gets to play for Scotland on a Friday afternoon in Spain and then come back and make his Rangers debut on a Saturday so what a weekend for that young man.

“He’s at the starting blocks now, the starting blocks is getting a go in the first team and then you have to go and earn everything after that. It’s a pleasing moment for everybody that has worked with him, his family as well that have been on his full journey.”

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