Sources: Rangers agree Callum Burnside deal

Rangers forward Callum Burnside has agreed to join Airdrieonians on a season-long loan, sources have told Football Insider.

The 19-year-old is heading back to the third tier of the Scottish football despite some having called for him to spend a season in the Championship.

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He has reached a full agreement with Airdrie and is putting the finishing touches to the move.

Burnside has just one year remaining on his contract with Rangers with an option of an additional year, which is expected to be triggered.

The highly-rated Northern Ireland youth international spent much of last season with Alloa Athletic, scoring nine goals and providing five assists in Scottish League One to earn a place in the team of the year.

The youngster was involved in Derek McInnes' pre-season camp, and scored a brace for the Under-19s in a friendly at the end of last month.

Airdrie were relegated from the Championship last season and will hope Burnside's arrival will help them make an instant return.

Callum Burnside eyeing further step up

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Burnside caught attention last season when he scored twice against Annan Athletic in the Challenge Cup for Rangers U19s.

The forward was sent out on loan to Alloa Athletic in October, and gradually made his way into the team.

In what was his first experience of consistent senior football, the teenager began to thrive before exploding in February.

Burnside scored seven goals in just five league games, including a first senior hattrick against Montrose in March.

It is hoped that the 19-year-old has a big future with Rangers, and McInnes was able to have a good look at him in July's pre-season camp in Spain.

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Another loan to League One may be seen as precautionary by the Gers, but they will hope to continue to build Burnside's experience on the senior stage.

Should the winger excel, he may well be brought back in January and sent to a higher league.

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Burnside arrived at Rangers in 2023, signing from Linfield's U18s having also spent time with Ballymena United as a boy.

The winger is a self-proclaimed boyhood fan of the Gers, and will hope to earn a future place in the senior team.

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"It was massive, and I learned so much last year, both highs and lows and being both in and out of the team," Burnside told Rangers' website when asked about last season's loan.

"We won play-off games, and we lost play-off games, finished fourth in the league. It was a great experience. I went to Alloa to score goals and try to help out the team, and I definitely thought I did that last season."

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