OPINION
Rangers should take advantage of the availability of Manchester United teenager Ethan Hamilton and snap him up on a January loan.
The 19-year-old is set for a temporary move back to his native Scotland as the blitz of United rookies heading north of the border continues.
Rangers director of football Mark Allen must ensure they jump to the front of the queue for highly-rated Hamilton, who hails from Edinburgh and is a seven-times Scotland Under-19 international.
He is a central midfielder of immense potential, with the energy, mobility and composure to make an impact at senior level after learning his trade in the youth team of one of the world’s biggest clubs.
United manager Jose Mourinho has already green lighted Scotland moves for James Wilson, Demetri Mitchell and Matty Willock and Hamilton is now set to join them in the SPL.
“Ethan is one we have high hopes for and we plan to send him out on loan soon,” United Under-23s boss Ricky Sbragia told the Scottish Sun. “A few Scottish clubs were interested last year but he was too young — it is different now.
“I think the Scottish Premiership is a good standard and the players are all enjoying it so far.”
With 36 appearances for United Under-23s under his belt, Hamilton is now ready to take the step up to the next level.
Rangers are not short of central midfielders, with Lassana Coulibaly, Ryan Jack, Andy Halliday, Scott Arfield and the versatile Ovie Ejaria on their books.
But they will need plenty of bodies in the middle of the park as the fixtures come thick and fast after the winter break, especially if loanee Greg Docherty remains at Shrewsbury Town for the rest of the campaign.
The club and recruitment chief Allen could pull off a blinder if they land United rising star Hamilton.