Rangers winger Glenn Middleton has only been on loan at Bradford City for a matter of days, but things have already taken a dramatic shift.
When the 20-year-old’s move to EFL League Two Bantams was confirmed on Saturday, Gary Bowyer was the manager.
Presumably, Bowyer had a say in bringing the pacey wide player in. Perhaps he thought he would help to turn the tide, to end a run of six matches without a win.
However, the timings were two tight for Middleton to be involved on Saturday, in what would turn out to be Bowyer’s final game in charge.
His side succumbed to three first-half goals at Oldham Athletic, and by Monday afternoon, his departure had been confirmed [Bradfordcityfc.co.uk].
As the search for his replacement begins, Middleton will be hoping the next boss is someone who rates him similarly.
After all, he knows well the negative effect managerial upheaval can have on a player’s opportunities.
During the first half of the season at Hibernian, the Gers loanee featured eight times under the manager who brought him to Easter Road – Paul Heckingbottom.
It would be a stretch to call him a regular, but he was certainly part of the plans.
However, when Heckingbottom was sacked and replaced by Jack Ross in mid-November, it signalled the end of his involvement.
He didn’t make a further matchday squad for the Edinburgh outfit and his stint was cut short, with Middleton returning to Ibrox in late December.
For the player’s sake, let’s hope a similar fate doesn’t befall his first loan spell in England.
