Celtic Legend Neil Lennon Could Kickstart the Career of Rangers’ Rising Star with Surprise Move

Rangers decided to keep Bailey Rice, Findlay Curtis, and Paul Nsio within the first-team setup, with interim boss Barry Ferguson hinting that they may get some senior minutes before the season ends.

However, younger players still developing were sent out on loan to gain valuable experience in the lower leagues.

Goalkeeper Lewis Budinauckas moved across Glasgow to join Partick Thistle, while Jay Hogarth temporarily signed with Dunfermline Athletic on an emergency seven-day loan due to their first-choice goalkeeper’s injury.

Hogarth has since returned to Rangers, but Archie Stevens remains at East End Park on a longer five-month loan, set to last until the end of the 2024/25 season.

Rangers’ Archie Stevens Links Up with Neil Lennon at Dunfermline

A product of AFC Wimbledon’s academy, Stevens has represented England at the Under-17 and Under-18 levels.

He is regarded as a promising talent on both sides of the border and has attracted interest from clubs such as Leeds United, Brighton, Wolves, Fulham, and Nottingham Forest.

There have even been rumors linking him to Manchester United.

However, his loan spell at Dunfermline has not started as he would have hoped.

With no goals or assists in his first seven Scottish Championship matches, he has yet to make a significant impact.

Adding to the uncertainty, his contract with Rangers is set to expire in the summer, and there has been no agreement on an extension.

With Dunfermline securing a significant coup in bringing Neil Lennon back into management, Rangers now find themselves in an unusual position—relying on a former Celtic legend to help develop one of their rising stars.

If Stevens is to fulfill the potential that reportedly caught the eye of Premier League clubs, Lennon’s arrival could be a crucial turning point.

“I’m very excited about the prospect of joining Dunfermline Athletic Football Club,” said Lennon, who won five Premiership titles as Celtic’s manager across two spells.

“Once I spoke to [owner] James Bord, he put across a very compelling proposition regarding his ambitions for the club.

Having watched the match against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup—a valiant 3-0 defeat at Pittodrie—it’s clear there’s talent in the squad, but perhaps just a little low on confidence at the minute.”

Lennon’s Appointment Could Be a Turning Point for Stevens

Stevens, who played for England at the Under-17 World Cup in 2023, stands to benefit the most from Lennon’s leadership at Dunfermline.

During his time at Celtic, Lennon played a key role in nurturing young talents, including Odsonne Edouard, Ryan Christie, Kristoffer Ajer, and particularly Jeremie Frimpong, who later became a Bundesliga champion with Bayer Leverkusen.

If he can help Stevens develop in a similar manner, it could be a huge boost for the young forward’s career.

Despite his previous links to Premier League clubs, Stevens is currently far from breaking into Rangers’ first team, let alone replicating Frimpong’s success in Germany.

His performances at Dunfermline will be crucial in determining his next steps, whether at Rangers or elsewhere.

Speaking last year, Stevens outlined his ambitions: “I want to perform well and continue improving as a player.

I want to get round the other side of the building—the first team—both in training and games.

I want to continue performing to a good standard, and hopefully, the rest will come.”

With time running out on his Rangers contract, the next few months could be decisive in shaping Stevens’ future.

Whether he extends his stay at Ibrox or moves on to pastures new, his performances under Lennon’s guidance will likely be a determining factor.