Cameron and Curtis heading for short-term exits?

Cameron and Curtis heading for short-term exits?

As the January window draws closer, the rumours surrounding incomings and outgoings at Ibrox are in full swing. Two players rumoured to be heading for a temporary exit from the club are young Scots Lyall Cameron and Findlay Curtis. Lyall Cameron arrived at Rangers from Dundee on a free transfer in the summer but has struggled to get minutes under both Danny Rohl and his short-lived predecessor Russell Martin. Academy product Curtis did shine in the European Qualifiers in the early days of the season, however he has struggled to make an impact since then. Is a January loan the right option for these players and which clubs may be suitable for them?

Lyall Cameron

When the pre-contract agreement with the then 22-year-old Dundonian was announced almost 12 months ago, few expected Cameron to be a key player in the coming season in the 49ers era. Despite this, after coming off an excellent season with Dundee (9 goals and 5 assists for a poor 10th place team) many fans did expect him to be a highly useful squad option who would know exactly what to expect at Rangers - from the level of expectation in the stands to the synthetic pitches at Kilmarnock, Livingston and Falkirk.

Unfortunately, things haven’t worked out for the midfielder thus far. Injuries have plagued him from the beginning of his short Rangers career and there has been a perception that neither manager has fancied him. With only 2 starts and 6 total appearances, he will be disappointed with how the move has panned out for him. A loan move to help him rediscover his Dens Park form is likely a good option for him to see out the rest of the season.

Reported interest has arisen from his former club Dundee, with noise also around a move to either Motherwell or Kilmarnock. Of the three, Motherwell would be the most appropriate option for Cameron. As we witnessed in the festive fixture at Ibrox, Motherwell are a well-coached side under Jens Bethel Askou playing attractive, forward-thinking passing football that would suit the midfielder. Motherwell will almost certainly finish the season as a top 6 side, meaning the Fir Park outfit will provide one of the most proximate environments to Rangers available in the SPFL.

Dundee represents another suitable option for Cameron. Going back to the club where he came through the academy and established himself as an SPFL player would provide him an excellent platform to rebuild his confidence and form again. On the other hand, Dundee are languishing near the foot of the table and while it may be a comfortable environment for Cameron, playing on the back foot and scraping together points for top-flight survival is not something that translates well to a club that demands silverware like Rangers.

Kilmarnock is an option that should be ruled out by the player and the club. Stuart Kettlewell departed Rugby Park after 17 games, picking up only 12 points. Kris Doolan has not been blessed with a new manager bounce, meaning the Ayrshire side lie 11th in the league table. A relegation battle is not a suitable environment for the development of a Rangers player, while the plastic pitch is not a suitable environment for a player regaining form in a season already plagued by injuries.

Findlay Curtis

Auchenhowie product Curtis broke through to the first team, helping Rangers through the Champions League Second Qualifying Round first leg against Panathinaikos with a decisive goal in what was a tough European tie. The young winger started again in the return leg in Athens, however since then has struggled to see minutes, with only 16 appearances and 3 goals across all competitions this season. A loan for the rest of the season and perhaps even next season seems both likely and a positive idea for the 19-year-old.

Any destination for Curtis should have two requirements: somewhere that will guarantee extensive minutes and somewhere where he will be in at least somewhat of a winning team. With this in mind, I would look to move Curtis to a club competing for promotion from the Scottish Championship such as St Johnstone. Failing that, a move to a club competing in the top half of League 2 or even the National League in England. While some may scoff at the idea of sending a Rangers prospect to the English non-league, the quality and professionalism of that level of football is much higher than many in Scotland would perceive. I strongly believe the priorities for his development should be game time and winning football.

Conclusion

With Rangers entering a pivotal January window, loan moves for both Lyall Cameron and Findlay Curtis appear not only sensible but necessary. Neither player has reached a stage in their development where sporadic substitute appearances or prolonged spells out of the matchday squad will serve their long-term prospects at Ibrox. Cameron needs consistent minutes in a structured, competitive Premiership environment to rediscover the form that earned him his move, while Curtis requires exposure to senior football where he can shoulder responsibility and develop the physical and mental demands of the professional game.

If managed correctly, short-term exits should not be viewed as setbacks, but as strategic steps in both players’ progression. The priority for Rangers must be ensuring that any loan destination offers regular football, a clear tactical role, and an environment that encourages development rather than survival. Done well, both Cameron and Curtis can return in the summer better equipped to contribute to a Rangers side that demands readiness, resilience and impact from day one.