OPINION
Everton starlet Kieran Dowell has reportedly grown frustrated at his current situation, with the young playmaker out of contention at Goodison Park under Marco Silva.
The 21-year-old midfielder had hoped for a chance to shine with the Toffees this season after a successful loan spell with Nottingham Forest, but that has not materialised with Silva having brought in several players over the summer.
With the January transfer window approaching it has been suggested that Dowell may head out on loan once again in search of regular first-team football, and Scottish giants Rangers have been one of the teams linked with a move.
As reported by the Scottish Sun, the Gers are set to step up their hunt for Dowell in the coming days after they released midfielder Ovie Ejaria back to his parent club Liverpool.
Manager Steven Gerrard is said to see Dowell as a direct replacement for Ejaria, who struggled with the physicality of the Scottish Premiership.
Gerrard is evidently a massive fan of the Everton starlet, saying: “I definitely admire him. He’s an Under-21 international. He’s a player I admire but there’s not really anything else to say on that at the moment as he’s an Everton player.”
With Ejaria out of the picture at Ibrox there is now a space to be filled, and Dowell looks like he could be the perfect candidate to do so.
From Everton’s point-of-view they will be looking for a club where Dowell can develop as a player on a big stage and come back ready to play first-team football for them next season.
There is nowhere better for him at the moment than Rangers, where he would be playing under a legend in Gerrard in front of 50,000 adoring fans each week, and learning from a squad packed with quality players.
Ejaria’s exit means that playing time is likely to come regularly for Dowell, and this development must see Everton sanction a temporary exit for the 21-year-old in January.
He will likely return in the summer having improved his game and being ready to make Goodison Park roar in the 2019/20 season.