It wasn’t a day many Rangers fans will remember, but the loss to Celtic was a good afternoon for Glenn Middleton.
The youngster has been in and around the first team since the beginning of the season. Despite it being Steven Gerrard’s biggest game of his reign so far, he felt fit to throw the former Norwich City kid into the contest.
Middleton came on as the first of Rangers’ two subs on 81 minutes. He was Gerrard’s first port of call when things weren’t going well. Tasked with changing the game, Middleton had nine minutes to make an impact.
In the end, the youngster wasn’t seen too much, but he can hardly be criticised for that. Rangers struggled to get him on the ball, whilst he was full of endeavour throughout his short time on the pitch.
Why was the day so positive for Middleton?
Good day for Glenn
We’re not saying that the youngster would’ve been walking back on the team coach grinning from ear-to-ear. He’ll have been just as hurting as the rest of the players at the painful defeat.
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But what a shot in the arm for him to be entrusted by the manager to change Sunday’s game.
As a winger who can operate on either side, his chances in the first-team could be high this season. Ryan Kent could do with some help down the left flank, and Middleton can provide some cover.
Down the other side, Daniel Candeias is more likely to operate as is Eros Grezda when he’s fit. Therefore, we could expect to see more of Middleton down the left-flank as the season rolls on.
This is, possibly, one of Rangers’ most exciting young talents in quite some time. Middleton has continuously received positive reviews from coaches down in Norwich and those who have kept tabs on him. Despite his release from the English side, things have worked out for the best with his move to the Gers.
Gerrard clearly sees huge potential in him, and throwing him into the Old Firm derby was a symbol of that trust.
That’s not to say Middleton will now be a constant each week, but the Parkhead loss was a real positive for him to say the least.