Michael Beale has 'interesting' new battle at Rangers after what Hutton has heard
Alan Hutton has backed Adam Devine to push James Tavernier "all the way" at Rangers.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Gers right-back said there is no point sending Devine on loan when he has proven his ability in the first team.
The 19-year-old was on the bench for the first time since the restart as the Light Blues welcomed back Borna Barisic from Qatar for their 3-0 win over Motherwell on Wednesday (28 December).
As quoted by the Daily Record (12 December), Devine said he hopes to “stamp his authority” in the side and keep playing regularly.
He said that it can be hard to get past Tavernier because he is the captain but he is willing to play on the left if there is more chance of game time.
When asked if the return of Barisic could convince the right-back of a loan move, Hutton told Football Insider: "We will have to wait and see.
"Listening to the manager, he believes that Devine can give him 20 per cent more at the right-hand side. So that is an intriguing competition moving forward for Tavernier.
"He is not getting any younger, he has had a couple of niggles as well. He is probably going to look to push him all the way until the end of the season.
"So I do not see why he would want to rush out on loan when there is an opportunity in the Rangers first team."