Callum Davidson, manager of Premiership club St Johnstone, has confirmed his intention to hold talks with Rangers regarding the future of Glenn Middleton [Scottish Sun].
Middleton joined the Saints on loan in January and has since made seven appearances in all competitions.
Only one of those was a start, but the rapid winger scored the goal that secured his adopted side’s top-six finish in the league and Davidson is keen to hold onto him.
“He’s worked really hard from the day he arrived and the more I get him involved, the better he’ll be,” he said [Scottish Sun]. “If he does unbelievably well for me in the next five or six games I probably won’t get the chance to keep him!”
“He’s great about the place, he wants to learn and has a really positive attitude. So we’ll be looking to have a conversation with Rangers about next season.
“I think Glenn is at the stage in his career where he now needs sustained game time.”
Middleton is under contract at Rangers until 2023 but at this stage, it’s hard to see him getting back into Steven Gerrard plans.
Ryan Kent and Scott Wright are the only two pacy natural wide players in the current first-team squad, but Middleton has played less regularly than other wingers out on loan like Brandon Barker, Jordan Jones and Josh McPake, while the club have also been linked with a swoop for Morecambe wide man Carlos Mendes Gomes [Scottish Sun].
Therefore, it’s tough to argue with Davidson’s hint that the Scotland youth international would be better off at McDiarmid Park next season in terms of playing time.
It’ll be interesting to see what approach Rangers take, though, as a season-long loan with no obligation to buy would reduce the club’s chances of receiving a fee for Middleton down the line.
Meanwhile, an injury update has been provided on another loanee after he returned to Rangers for a scan.
