GLENN: I HAVE SCOT TO PROVE MYSELF TO IBROX GAFFER GERRARD
Glenn Middleton believes helping Scotland’s kids book an Under-21 European Championship Finals spot can be the makings of him at Rangers.
The forgotten Ibrox winger stole the show for the dark blues in midweek as he sparked a fightback from two goals down against
Croatia to bank a crucial point which sets up a win-or-bust game in Greece on Tuesday.
It was a rare moment of self-satisfaction for a player who hasn’t made a first-team appearance for his club since April 2019 after loan moves to Hibs and Bradford.
That huge frustration for the 22-year-old was well articulated by a player who hopes his displays for his country can catch the eye of Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard as he looks to revive his career with the Glasgow giants.
Middleton said: “Things haven’t been as enjoyable as I’d like them to be. So every minute I get on the pitch it’s up to me to make an impact
and prove that I can do well in the game.
“It’s up to me. I need to work hard every day and then I’ll make my own luck. When I get a chance I need to show what I’m capable of and then hopefully catch the eye.
“You have to back yourself wherever you are going to be. The squad at Rangers is at a very high level and people realise it’s not going to be easy to get into the starting XI. The competition for places is very strong but you can’t fail to learn at Rangers.
“You pick up so much by being in and around the changing room. That is only going to help me in the long term.”
Middleton’s message ahead of the trip to Greece is a simple one – it’s winning at all costs to get the result that would send Scot Gemmill’s side to the finals in Hungary and Slovenia.
He said: “We know we have to win, it’s as simple as that. Every time we turn up for Scotland the coaches have a gameplan for us to follow.
“That will be the case again for Tuesday. Everyone buys into the plan and we’ve always carried out the gameplan well.
“The coaches are always working on it and they present it to us as simply as they can.
“It’s up to us to carry that out and we’ve been doing that very well and it’s shown by the results we have achieved recently.”