Hutton tips in-demand McPake for Rangers promotion after what he’s heard from Lovenkrands
Alan Hutton has tipped Steven Gerrard to hand Josh McPake a first-team opportunity at Rangers ahead of the start of next season amid England-club interest.
The former Gers defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, revealed he had only heard good things about the 19-year-old from ex-Ibrox youth coach Peter Lovenkrands.
As revealed by Football Insider, McPake has caught the eye of Championship duo Bristol City and QPR after impressing on loan at Harrogate Town.
The teenage winger has played 14 times for the League Two outfit since switching loan clubs in January.
His one and only senior Rangers appearance came in a Europa League qualifying tie against St Joseph’s back in 2019.
With interest building in McPake, Hutton has tipped Gerrard to give the youngster a chance in the first-team during pre-season.
“He was one of the ones coming through Peter Lovenkrands spoke about quite a lot,” Hutton told Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge.
“As far as I’m aware Gerrard really likes him as a player.
“It just shows you how well he’s doing down there. Rangers will obviously know this but they’ll be keen to keep him.
“Maybe that’s one that Steven Gerrard will be looking at thinking: ‘Right, we’ll have a look at him in the summer. See if he’s capable of competing within the squad.’ Then they’ll make a decision.
“It’s as simple as that. So it’s really down to the coaching staff and where they see him fitting in – if they do.”
In other news, a stunning £400million deal can rocket Rangers revenues past Celtic next season.