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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Steven Gerrard has told The Daily Record that there will be more outgoings at Rangers after Kyle Lafferty’s departure.
What’s the story?
Gerrard has stated that there will be more following Lafferty, whose contract was terminated by mutual consent this week.
It’s been a busy summer at Ibrox as the manager looks to reshape his squad and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Eight new faces have arrived with ten more leaving, and the latter number is now set to rise even further.
Ahead of the Progres Niederkorn Europa League tie, the former Liverpool captain said: “There will be other bodies that move on. We are moving forward and trying to make the squad as set as possible for the season.”
While it is not clear whether the gaffer is plotting more permanent exits, more loans for youngsters or perhaps a mixture of both, one thing is sure – he must get it right with one particularly promising starlet.
Careful with Middleton
Glenn Middleton has been unlucky this summer, having seen a potential loan move away from the Light Blues fall through. The winger was set to join Doncaster Rovers but after their manager Grant McCann left for Hull the deal was off the table.
The 19-year-old was a revelation in the opening half of last season for Gerrard, particularly in the Europa League group stage. Yet, a quiet 2019 has ensured that a temporary move away could be good for the winger, if they get it right.
The Scotland U19 international featured only three times after the winter break, despite racking up ten goal contributions in all competitions earlier in the campaign, so despite the move to Doncaster falling through a loan move still looks the best option.
The alternative to a loan is most likely playing for the youths at Ibrox, something he’s simply too good for given the flashes of brilliance we saw from him this time last year and the ease with which he has found the step down to youth football – dominating Scotland’s reserve leagues will not help him develop, while the new signings brought in this summer means a first-team return is unlikely.
A poor loan move however and he could end up like Ryan Hardie. 18 months on loan at Livingston did little to earn him a first-team place at Rangers, and he has subsequently been sold to Blackpool. You only need to look at the fans’ reaction to Hardie leaving to see the regard he was held in at Ibrox, with the Ibrox faithful certainly feeling there is some wasted potential there. Middleton should be wary to avoid a similar career trajectory.
He’ll have to be careful not to get lost in all the movement at Ibrox, either on a last-minute, poorly thought out loan or with another demotion to the development side. Given how good we know he can be, it’s imperative Gerrard has a perfect plan for the 19 year-old.
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