Glenn Middleton burst on to the scene at Rangers in Steven Gerrard’s first season in charge and immediately looked capable of being a key member of the first team squad for years to come.
Things haven’t quite worked out that way and the Scotland Under-21 international now finds himself out on loan at St Johnstone as he looks to prove that he still has a future with the Light Blues.
Speaking to Football Insider, Allan Hutton believes that this is his last chance to show what he is capable of after the last 18-months which has hardly seen him play any competitive action and when asked if Middleton was now in the last chance saloon, he said:
“I think so. Obviously, Gerrard fancied him at the start – we know his attributes, he’s got great pace and things of that, good ability, but it’s the consistency.
“Gerrard gave him an opportunity, it didn’t quite work out, he’s went out on some loans which, again, haven’t quite worked out, so there comes a time when you’re going have to just go and prove everybody wrong and I think that is that.
“St Johnstone are a decent club where he’ll play minutes and he needs to show Gerrard he’s willing to work hard and put in the time to try and get in the team because Rangers are still looking at players in his position when he’s there and not playing.
“I think the alarm bells, for me, are ringing. You’re looking at kind of last-chance saloon here, he’s really going to have to prove to Gerrard he’s capable of playing in the Rangers team.”
Does Middleton have a future at Rangers?
Yes
No
There is no doubting that Middleton is a talented player, we have seen what he is capable of in the first-team already but as Gerrard says, the standards have risen since he first arrived and the youngsters that are out on loan have to up their game, if they are to make the final step towards being valued members of the gaffer’s squad.