Rangers are putting too much responsibility on teenager Glenn Middleton
There is no doubt that Rangers attacker Glenn Middleton is an extremely talented player that can have a great career at Ibrox, but it’s worth remembering he is still just an 18-year-old experiencing his first full season of senior football.
The left-winger has managed to break into the first team this campaign, scoring five goals and supplying four assists in 20 senior appearances.
Steven Gerrard’s investment in youth is admirable and he appears to have unearthed a gem in Middleton, but Thursday night was perhaps a step too far for him.
Middleton played the full 90 minutes during Rangers’ 1-0 away defeat to Rapid Vienna, which meant they were knocked out of the Europa League group stages.
The teenager already has immense pressure on his young shoulders and the Gers risk shattering his confidence in the early stages of his career.
(Photo by Johann Schwarz/SEPA.Media /Getty Images)
Rangers were without injured winger Ryan Kent against Rapid Vienna leaving Gerrard’s options limited, but surely summer signing Eros Grezda would have been a suitable replacement.
The Light Blues were looking to Middleton to be their chief creator on the European stage and the expectancy levels right now are too high, which is simply just unfair.
Middleton doesn’t need any extra hype around his name right now and should be allowed to just enjoy his first season as a senior player.
