WITH more than 1,000 senior appearances between them, Kieran Wright knows his future is in safe hands as he continues to learn from some of the best goalkeepers in the country.
The 19-year-old splits his time between the Wasps and Glasgow giants Rangers, where he gets the chance to work with Allan McGregor and Wes Foderingham in the club’s multi-million pound Hummel Training Centre.
It’s a world away from the humble surroundings of the Recs and the duo are widely regarded as among Scotland’s finest stoppers, but the youngster is just as eagerly relishing time spent under the tutelage of Alloa goalkeeper coach Alan Fraser and long time Wasps number one Neil Parry.
And while Wright dreams of one day following in the footsteps of McGregor - who rose through the Rangers Academy to play for the club, country, and in the English Premier League - he knows he will have to grab his opportunity with both hands and learn everything he can from the experienced heads.
“It’s absolutely brilliant getting the chance to work with goalies like Allan McGregor and Wes Foderingham and they have always been good with me,” Wright told Advertiser Sport.
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“Wes has been there with me since I made the step up to full-time football and Allan has come in and he understands what I am going through.
“He had to do the same (when he came through the Rangers Academy) and working with them really helps me to progress and to improve my game.
“You can see it at training and having made the step up from the reserves the standards have changed straightaway.
“They go about their business in such a professional way and you just have to take a leaf out of their book.
“Big Alan (Fraser), Andy (Wilson), Neilly (Neil Parry) and Chris (Henry) are all brilliant boys and it has been so easy to work with them.”
He added: “The training at Alloa has been really, really good and I even said to the Rangers coaches that I have been enjoying it so much.
“It is different and you will spend time working towards the game at the weekend and it’s all about finding the balance.
“Big Neilly is just coming back from injury and has been joining in with training and he is just such a great guy.
“He’s so experienced too and I am trying to take a leaf out of his book and it doesn’t matter what level you have that experience at.”
Wright made the switch to Clacks in January as a last-minute replacement for the much heralded Jamie MacDonald.
The Killie stopper had excelled since joining to replace the injured Parry, before a knock of his own cut his spell with Peter Grant’s men short.
It led to a whirlwind 48 hours for the former Albion Rovers and Raith Rovers player, who found himself lining up against Championship high flyers Inverness Caley Thistle just days after signing on at the Recs.
Having now had time to get to know his team-mates and adjust to his new surroundings, the teenager says he has been struck by just how high the levels are at the part-timers.
“I prefer being thrown right in at the deep end and was happy to be involved in Inverness away,” Wright said. “It was a step up from what I have played before and I enjoyed it.
“The boys I was with Albion Rovers with were all brilliant players and it was a good standard, but Alloa has been a step up and the standard in training is different class.
“Most of the boys in the Alloa team could play at a higher level and they are all good enough to do so.
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“I’m not saying Alloa isn’t a high level of course, but they are all really top players.
“Getting out and playing games absolutely helps you the most. I’ve been out on loans in the past and it gets you out and into a first team environment.
“Jamie MacDonald and Neil Parry are just brilliant keepers and it is unfortunate they are both out with injuries.
“Having to step up in their place is a big call and it’s one I am looking forward to.”
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