Rangers youngster Dapo Mebude should receive boost from Steven Gerrard’s comments

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Rangers youngster Dapo Mebude should be extremely motivated to break into the first team at Ibrox following positive comments from senior manager Steven Gerrard.

The 17-year-old is a centre-forward in the club’s academy that is a goal machine at youth level and tipped for a bright future at Ibrox.

Gerrard has confirmed (official Twitter) that he’s been recalled from international duty with Scotland’s Under-19s side ahead of a league fixture at home to St Johnstone at the weekend.

Jermain Defoe and Kyle Lafferty are both doubts for the game ahead of late checks, while Alfredo Morelos is suspended for the fixture.

It leaves the Gers without any recognised striker to drafts in and they’ve recalled an academy product just in case.

Mebude has not made a first-team appearance yet for Rangers, but should be encouraged by Gerrard’s comments about him and see there is a path to the senior squad.

“I think young Dapo has a huge future, he has big potential, he is probably not ready to be thrown into the deep end just yet but I think he will be ready for a cameo. There is no doubt about it he will play for Rangers at some point,” Gerrard said (official Twitter).

It’s a smart decision from Gerrard to offer prodigy Mebude some kind words and supporters would surely love for him to make his senior debut against St Johnstone.

Rangers will hope at least one of their senior options can pull through in time for Saturday afternoon, but if not it could be a special game for a potential star of the future.