Rangers ace with 'so much potential' joins Premiership rivals at key stage in development after injury struggles
19-year-old Ibrox prospect checks in at Rugby Park as he aims to put injury woe and lack of regular minutes behind him
Kilmarnock have raided Scottish Premiership rivals Rangers again for another of their top young talents with Bailey Rice heading to Rugby Park on a season-long loan, it has been confirmed.
The 19-year-old defensive midfielder, who signed a contract extension with the Ibrox club earlier this week, will now look to follow in the footsteps of Findlay Curtis by starring for the Rugby Park outfit.
Curtis proved a major success story during the second half of last season, managing to force his way his Scotland’s 26-man World Cup squad after catching Steve Clarke’s eye during pre-tournament international friendlies in March.
Rice, meanwhile, is coming off a season plagued by injury issues and having struggled for game time ever since moving to Rangers from Motherwell in the summer of 2022. He will now look to make his mark under Neil McCann’s guidance in Ayrshire after checking in ahead of the club’s pre-season trip to Belfast.
A Rangers statement confirmed: “Bailey Rice has today joined Kilmarnock on a season-long loan deal. The midfielder, who earlier this week signed a contract extension at Rangers, will spend the 2026/27 campaign with Neil McCann’s side.
“Having joined Rangers in 2022, it’s a first loan spell for the 19-year-old as he looks to gain more Scottish Premiership experience.”
Rice determined to make the most of Kilmarnock loan spell
Outlining his hopes and ambitious for the coming season, Rice told Killie TV: “It’s a big club, and we’ve got a good team. I obviously know the gaffer and Doddsy (Billy Dodds) well, so I’ve got a good relationship with them. I’m looking forward to it.
“I’ve been close with the manager here throughout my career for different reasons. He’s honest, he doesn’t hold anything back, and that’s what I like. I’ve got good vision when on the ball. I’m hoping I can take that onto the pitch, and take games by the scruff of the neck.”
What has Kilmarnock boss, Neil McCann said?
Discussing the addition of his latest signing, McCann told Kilmarnock’s official website: “He’s someone I’ve known for a long time, even in his younger days. When we spent time at Rangers, we played him against Athletic Bilbao, and he came on against Dundee as well. Unfortunately, he didn’t manage to continue that progress under the new management team.
“He’s somebody that I’ve always kept an eye on and he’s got so much to offer us. The challenge for Bailey now is to get into our team. That’s a challenge I think he’s going to embrace.
“He’s got so much potential, but sooner or later, potential needs to be realised, and he’s got a chance here with us. He’s young with not an awful lot of game time behind him, so I’ve set him the task of getting himself to the stage where he’s pushing to get into the team. If he does that, he’s got the quality that can help us have a successful season.”