Serge Atakayi discusses plans made by Steven Gerrard for his Rangers future

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Serge Atakayi has told his new loan side’s official website that Steven Gerrard is planning to integrate him into the Rangers first team next season.

The 20-year-old has joined top-tier side Finnish side SJK Seinajoki on loan until the end of the season. He remains well down the pecking order at Gerrard’s Rangers.

Atakayi, who has caps for Finland’s Under-19 side, made his senior Rangers debut earlier this season – but he suffered a long-term injury during his 17-minute cameo role in the 7-1 win over Motherwell.

Speaking to Seinajoki’s website, the Rangers attacker claimed that Gerrard said he sees Atakayi in Rangers’ senior side next season – despite enormous competition on the flanks.

“Rangers also saw that this is the best solution for me,” Atakayi said. “This is ultimately a good solution, because I’ve been injured. They gave this opportunity to me because the goal is to to back to Rangers’ first team.

“Steven Gerrard thinks I can play with them [senior side] next season. There are certainly a lot of plans out there, so let’s see how it works in the summer.”

TBR’s view

Atakayi certainly has plenty of potential and is more than capable of breaking into the senior side. But the winger’s main stumbling block will be the enormous competition ahead of him.

Indeed, Rangers are set to bring in Jordan Jones from Kilmarnock this summer. Jamie Murphy is also set to return to training after a long spell on the sidelines.

Glenn Middleton, Daniel Candeias and Eros Grezda provide Atakayi with competition out wide. He may have to be patient and wait for the odd opportunity next season, and hope he does something to catch Gerrard’s attention.