‘Could be a great player’ – Exclusive: Hutton tips Rangers forgotten man to electrify Ibrox
Alan Hutton believes Rangers winger Glenn Middleton can become a “great” player if he wins Steven Gerrard over in training.
The former Gers defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, admits that a lack of consistency has let the 20-year-old down but he has the potential to electrify Ibrox.
The young forward was used as a squad player by Gerrard last season but has been shipped on loan to both Hibernian and Bradford City this campaign.
Hutton admits he was excited by Middleton when he first broke onto the scene and believes he can still offer the Light Blues an option next season.
Hutton told Football Insider: “It’s a difficult one. He broke through and I think everyone was excited – the pace, the power he had.
“I always see an out-and-out winger can be inconsistent, that’s the difficult thing. They’re in and out games, they float in and out so it’s how much you can feed them the ball. They have to be on it a lot of the time to really show their worth.
“I think we need to remember he’s very young still, he’s only 20, he’s still got time on his side. The thing I do like is he’s stepped down, he went to Hibs, he went to Bradford – it’s not totally worked out but he’s gone out and experienced the world as such.
“I think for him, he’s definitely got time on his side. Whether he wants to come back, put in the hard work and show Gerrard he’s there and willing to give his all for the team – he will give him a chance if he shows that.
“I think he’s got the attributes and he could be a great player so hopefully, when he does come back, he knuckles down and work hard.
“Once you get there, it’s about staying there and I think that was the difficult thing for him. He was a bit in and out but he never really showed enough to start every week.”
In other Rangers news, a big development is expected by a Football Insider pundit after the club’s whistleblower claims.