Norwich rejection could be the making of young Middleton

RANGERS kid Glenn Middleton admitted he broke down after his ‘brutal’ axing from Norwich City, but now insists it could turn out to be the best thing that’s ever happened to him as he prepares to play a part in the Steven Gerrard revolution.

The 18-year-old is with the Scotland squad at the Toulon Tournament after picking up plenty of plaudits with the Ibrox youth sides since he joined in January.

Middleton had trained with the Norwich first team and was tipped to have a big future with the Carrow Road club... until he received some devastating news on his future.

He explained: ‘I was the most shocked you could ever be in a situation when Norwich told me I could go. Not in an arrogant way, at all — just by how it came about. But now, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

‘Because I’ve learnt that’s how brutal football can be. It’s set me up for the future and hopefully something like that never happens again.

‘I was told certain things by Norwich. Then I was drawn into a meeting and told I wasn’t their cup of tea anymore. Things had changed at the club, personnel including the first-team manager and sporting director.

‘They didn’t fancy me and that’s football. At the time, I was confused as other people were. Other boys at the club couldn’t really understand what was going on.

‘I thought I was going into that meeting for a general chat. The season before when I was only 16, I was training with the first team and things were looking good for me. But it didn’t work out the way I’d hoped.

‘That day after the meeting I went home and cried a lot. I’m not ashamed to admit it. It was a horrible two or three months for me which I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

‘But I’m grateful for it happening now. Because it’ll stand me in good stead for my career. ‘To get that experience young, albeit a negative one, will help me in the future. I’ve learnt that things aren’t straightforward. ‘It’s been a hectic, crazy six months — but enjoyable at the same time. I couldn’t ask for much more, playing for the team I support. And hopefully I’m going to get opportunities at Rangers in the future, if I keep showing what I’m capable of doing.’ Middleton (left) insists he still does not know why he was suddenly bombed out at the English Championship club coached by German Daniel Farke. But he’s delighted that former Rangers boss Graeme Murty snapped him up.

He said: ‘To get that experience young, albeit a negative one, will help me in the future. I’ve learnt that things aren’t straightforward.

‘I know now I’m not going to reach the top just by turning up for training every day.

‘No matter how well you think you’re doing, someone’s opinion is going to be different. That’s where I was lucky that the people at Rangers took a different opinion.

‘It would be a dream come true to play for Rangers. I went to games when I was younger. Hopefully, I can make it happen.’