How Rangers rising star Curtis is flourishing at Killie
Rising star Findlay Curtis has gone from the Rangers fringes to Scotland squad - via an impactful stint with Kilmarnock - in the space of eight months. The 19-year-old began the season with a start and a goal in Rangers' 2-0 home win over Panathinaikos in Champions League qualifying, but struggled to cement a first-team spot under both Russell Martin and Danny Rohl. Custis made 21 appearances - but just five starts - for Rangers across all competitions, scored three goals and set up a further two before heading on loan to Rugby Park to play under former Ibrox assistants Neil McCann and Billy Dodds.
Since making the switch to Ayrshire, the versatile youngster has been a standout in a Kilmarnock side fighting for survival. Curtis has started all but two of Killie's six league games since then - he was ineligible to face parent club Rangers - and played several different positions. In last weekend's deserved 1-0 win over leaders Hearts, he started on the left side of attack.
Against Falkirk the week before, he was on the right and against St Mirren in February he was deployed at right-back. Talk about versatility. While Curtis has only one assist so far (in Killie's 4-3 win over St Mirren last month) he has been impressive in attack.
Despite having only arrived eight weeks ago, his 20 shots is the second most of any Kilmarnock player this season. Curtis has also created seven chances from open play and three big chances - again the second highest of any Killie player. The victory over Hearts summed up Curtis' prowess.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke was in attendance at Rugby Park to watch the youngster and was clearly impressed as he handed Curtis his first senior call-up for this month's pre-World Cup friendlies. Custis' five shots last Saturday was the most of any Killie player, in fact only Hearts' Claudio Braga (eight) attempted more. Curtis had six touches in the opposition box - again only Braga (10) had more - and won a game-high 12 duels.