Glenn Middleton’s fitness levels have been one of the main concerns for Steven Gerrard during this international break.
Fortunately for the Rangers manager, he can rest easy after the youngster failed to appear against Sweden yesterday. The under-19 contest was the third of three Scotland Under-19 qualification matches over the last 10 days for Euro 2019.
Middleton started and played 83 minutes of the opening win against Wales. Since then, however, he’s been dropped out of the squad totally for matches against San Marino and the Swedes.
There wasn’t much surprise when the Rangers youngster was dropped for San Marino. He wasn’t a risk that needed taken against the lowly international side.
Scotland Under-19 coach Billy Stark, however, also didn’t have him selected against Sweden. The match itself finished 2-2, meaning Scotland qualified for the Elite Round. Despite that, you would’ve expected Middleton to feature in the crunch clash with the Swedes.
He is Scotland’s most accomplished player at that level, but hasn’t played a single minute of the last two qualifiers. It opens up speculation about a variety of potential reasons.
Why hasn’t he featured?
Did he perhaps pick up an unrevealed injury? Did Gerrard pull him out of international duty to keep him fresh? It’s certainly an odd scenario in what were two massive games for the Scots.
Regardless, Gerrard and Rangers fans won’t care so long as Middleton isn’t injured. The Gers manager previously opened up on his worries about the youngster and his schedule over the last week.
Ryan Kent remains a couple of weeks from full fitness. This leaves young Middleton as the only recognisable left-winger available for selection.
He’s certainly shot on to the scene in impressive fashion this season. In his 15 appearances for Rangers, the winger has slammed home five goals. Two of those five came in his last two matches against Spartak Moscow and Motherwell respectively.
Having that kind of talent fresh and available ahead of such a big domestic schedule is huge. Middleton, however, is likely to take it all in his stride as he has done all season.
Rangers fans will just be hoping, however, that the youngster hasn’t been rocked by any injury.
