Calum Adamson is set for a move to Raith Rovers on loan for the 2026/27 season, with the Rangers midfielder earning a step up into the Scottish Championship after impressing in League One. The 19-year-old's progress this summer suggests the next phase of his development will come at a higher level and in a more demanding environment.
Adamson's loan follows a strong spell at Alloa last season, and that form has been enough to attract interest from Championship clubs as well as clubs from south of the border. For Rangers, it is another example of a young player being placed on a clear pathway, with the aim of giving him competitive minutes against stronger opposition.
Why the Raith move makes sense
The move to Stark's Park feels like a logical next step. Adamson has already shown he can handle senior football in League One, and the Championship should provide a better measure of where he stands physically and tactically.
He was also involved earlier this summer when Rangers played a behind-closed-doors friendly against Raith, while he spent part of pre-season in Spain with Derek McInnes' squad. That mix of experiences suggests he has been close enough to the first-team environment to benefit from it, while still needing the regular game time that a loan can provide.
For a 19-year-old midfielder, the challenge now is less about potential and more about consistency. A successful season at Raith could put him in a stronger position when he returns to Rangers, especially if he can show he can cope with the pace and pressure of the Championship.
Rangers' wider loan picture
Adamson's move also sits within a broader summer pattern at Rangers. Zeb Lawson has left on a straight loan deal to Queen's Park, while Max Cameron and Kyle Glasgow have moved to Alloa on cooperation loans. McCallion and Stewart have also joined Queen's Park through the SFA loan scheme.
That gives Rangers a clear set of development moves across different levels, with Adamson's deal standing out because it takes him directly into the Scottish Championship. In that sense, it is a sign that his progress at Alloa has been noticed and that the club believe he is ready for a more testing spell.
For Adamson, the target is simple: make the jump count. For Rangers, the hope is that a stronger loan spell will leave them with a midfielder better prepared for what comes next.
