Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has backed youngster Glenn Middleton to be a big part of his squad this season.
The 18-year-old winger has impressed in the opening weeks of this season, filling in at left back towards the end of Gers 3-0 victory over Wigan on Sunday.
And Gerrard is expecting much more to come from the teenager: “Glenn is a winger, he is a wide man and he showed flashes again today of how exciting he is,” he told the Herald.
“He is a player for the future and I have to manage Glenn really well and put him in at the right time. In terms of potential, he has got it all.
“Glenn is staying here. We see him as a very important squad player and definitely being a big part of it.”
Middelton has only made three senior appearances for Rangers so far.
OPINION
This praise will be music to Middleton, and Rangers fans’, ears. It’s always good to see homegrown young players coming through and making their mark in the first team, and Gers need that if they are to have a good season. Gerrard seems wise to the dangers of burning out the 18-year-old, however, and he will likely be used sparingly in the opening weeks of the league season. Although he played at left back against Wigan, Gerrard has stated that he will be used in his natural position of winger moving forward. It’s important, especially if Rangers secure full Europa League qualification, for the manager to have a number of players in each position that he can turn to. Middleton’s versatility is key in this regard, and must be a key reason why the youngster hasn’t been sent out on loan. Whether he makes his mark immediately or not, though, it appears the teenage winger has a big future at Ibrox to look forward to.