OPINION
With the transfer window coming to a close and football in Scotland back underway after their winter break it is time for those at Rangers to take stock and look at how 2019 might turn out for them.
Still chasing Celtic in the top flight and with a Scottish Cup clash against Cowdenbeath on Wednesday there is plenty for those at Ibrox to be excited about – although one man might be looking at the new year with despair.
Young talent Glenn Middleton, considered one of the most exciting prospects that the Gers have on their books this season, has not enjoyed the return to action at all, with not a single minute of game time under his belt in two games.
He was featuring regularly as a substitute prior to the turn of the year, with his none-appearance against Celtic the first league game missed in seven.
Unfortunately for the 19-year-old, he faces a serious test to force his way back into the reckoning and it is all thanks to the arrival of both Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis.
Completely left out of the squad who lost to Kilmarnock in midweek, the new signings both starting, he returned to the bench as his emerging rivals dropped from the starting XI to sitting alongside him – but they are clearly ahead of him in the pecking order.
Defoe was brought on to replace Alfredo Morelos – an understandable straight swap up – but instead of taking Ryan Kent’s spot out on the left wing Steven Gerrard plumped for Davis instead, the manager shoring up his midfield despite being 3-0 up.
Surely if there was any time to give young Middleton action it is when the win is all but secured, but Gerrard seemed to think otherwise.
The new arrivals are not good news for the future of the young winger and 2019 could be a difficult year for him in terms of senior action.