Kiwi experience to put young reds striker in good stead

RANGERS teenager Dave Cusack plans to apply some of the knowledge he acquired playing football in New Zealand to shoot down opposition defences this season. Playing for Kiwi side Mogueka he faced ex-professionals and some Samoan internationals on his travels, which have proved to be a solid learning curve for his development.

He scored 14 goals in nine games and his form has continued back home where he has started the season on fire.

He notched a five-goal salvo in the first Youth One win against St Martin's followed by another in a defeat to Vale Rec and netted a first-team goal in a Collins Cup victory against Rovers.

Cusack has his heart set on securing a starting place in this year's Junior Muratti and cementing a first-team place.

One of his aims is to be top goalscorer in youth football this season - one of his friends Jake Bunyan has challenged him with a target of 25 goals at all levels.

'It's always good to put a Rangers shirt on and go out there to perform for the team,' he said.

Having just turned 17, he is studying a two-year sports development and fitness course at the College of FE, after leaving Les Beaucamps School.

He has played football for Rangers with his mates since the minis.

'It's a good atmosphere being there and everyone is friendly and there is no friction between players,' he stressed.

He is enjoying the experience of being involved in the senior set-up - having had a first taste at the end of last season when he scored three goals in the last four first-team games after being given his big break by Priaulx boss Mac Gallienne.

'They gave me some confidence,' he said.

'Mac is a good coach and wants to lead the club forward - the plans at the moment are quite good. He wants to get the youth players into Priaulx as quickly as he can. You have to be grateful he has given you the chance and live up to his expectations,' said Cusack.

He sees no problem playing alongside senior island strikers Jon Veron and Ross Allen and his main attributes are his first touch, ball control and knowing where to put a pass.

'I played with Ross back in Youth Two and it was good playing football with him and now with Jon there it will be a good experience. Both have been really helpful to me.'

The teenager was in the under-18 island squad in Jersey and against Gwent last season and substitute for the Junior Muratti.

He is eager to keep a first team place and to stay involved in the set-up.

Cusack believes a realistic aim for the Youth One side is a top three or four finish.

Youth players he believes to look out for are centre midfielder Jake Guilbert and centre back Toz Armstrong.

When he visited his brother, Raymond, and nephew in New Zealand he played for both senior and junior Kiwi sides.He even missed a cup final to come back to the island for the start of the season.

'It was a different culture in how they play sport and they have different styles,' he said.

His father Frank has praised the way the coaches from Gallienne downwards are looking after the younger players.

'They are keen not to over-play them.'

His son has mixed views about the number of games restrictions on youth players.

'It depends how much you play and if you are training twice a week and playing two games a week it could get a bit strenuous,' he said.

'But if they are not over-using you and you feel up for it, you should be able to play more games. With restricting the number of games you could be missing the big games at the end of the season.'

Cusack will be hoping that when that time arrives the Youth One side will still be pushing for honours and the Priaulx looking to secure the coach's objective of a Wheway spot at the least.