Did Steven Gerrard leave Glenn Middleton’s Rangers substitution too late?

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Rangers were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Spartak Moscow on Thursday night, which leaves their Europa League group stage evenly poised.

The Scottish giants were unable to breakthrough their Russian opponents despite a number of opportunities and may feel they missed a huge opportunity.

Steven Gerrard’s side are top of the European group with five points from three games, but the four teams are separated by just three points.

Rangers were pushing hard for a winner in the second-half and it was a surprise to see Glenn Middleton only enter the action in the 86th minute, which gave the attacker practically no time to make a difference.

Should Gerrard have introduced the 18-year-old earlier in the game?

Middleton may only be a teenager that is developing his game this season, but he’s shown he can make a serious impact in the first team.

The winger has brilliant pace and trickery, something that could have been a great weapon against a tiring Spartak that has to defend stubbornly.

Middleton is now a full member of the first team after forcing his way into the senior fold this campaign and perhaps Gerrard may reflect on a poor use of substitutions against Spartak.

Many feel feel it was a blunder not to introduce the attacker earlier to provide a spark, but Rangers should still be pleased with another decent European showing.