Former Rangers full-back, Alan Hutton, believes that Ross McCrorie will be looking for reassurances from Steven Gerrard before making any decision on his future.
Speaking to Football Insider, the retired Scotland international feels that McCrorie is at a stage of his career where playing regularly will be foremost in his thoughts.
So what has Hutton said?
When asked to reflect on Portsmouth recently admitting that they hope to secure the Scotland Under-21 international on a permanent deal, he said:
“Portsmouth are doing well which helps. It just depends on where Gerrard sees him fitting in – does he need him at the moment, does he want to sign him to a long-term deal?
“If it was me personally, I would want to play every week and I would presume he would be the same so you really need to get that conversation out there – am I going to play or am I coming up to be a bit-part player? If so, it’s worth me moving because I need to play.
“I think that’s everybody’s dream when you’re a kid, you don’t want to be sitting on a bench week in, week out for years. It’s a conversation he’ll definitely have to have.”
So is Hutton correct?
One of McCrorie’s biggest issues is he has yet to establish himself in one position, having made his breakthrough at Rangers as a centre-half, something Gerrard was unhappy about on his arrival, he was subsequently played as a defensive-midfielder under the Ibrox gaffer before seeing game time at Portsmouth at right-back.
It is a double-edged sword for the 22-year old, his versatility could well be useful for the Gers and he made 30 appearances for his boyhood club last season, having a utility player on the bench could free up space elsewhere for more game changers or specific replacements.
McCrorie is also a home-grown player, something that is hugely beneficial in European competition and similar to Glenn Middleton, he may not be a guaranteed starter, but his presence in the squad would allow extra players to be selected.
Gerrard has stated that he sees the “future captain” at Ibrox over the long-term, Gers fans would be well advised to look across the city at the likes of Ryan Christie who didn’t make an immediate impact at Celtic until it looked like he was heading out of the door.
The decision will be a big one for the youth international and one that could well define the rest of his career, his physicality and aggression has been missed on occasions this season, particular since the winter break and a return to Ibrox would be a welcome sight for Gers fans.