Glenn ready to fly at Ibrox after Canaries snub
Rangers kid Glenn Middleton admitted he broke down after being axed by Norwich City. But the 18-year-old 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.
He 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 Canaries’ first team and was tipped to have a big future – until he received some devastating news. He explained: “I was the most shocked you could ever be when they 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.
“I’ve learnt that’s how brutal football can be. It’s set me up for the future and hopefully there’s never a repeat.
“I was told certain things by Norwich, then I was drawn into a meeting and told I wasn’t their cup of tea any more.
“Personnel, including the first-team manager and sporting director, had changed.
“They didn’t fancy me, but that’s football.
“At the time, I was as 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. But it didn’t work out the way I’d hoped, first being played out of position, then not at all.
“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. It’ll stand me in good stead for my career.
“Now 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. “My connection with Graeme Murty while he was at Carrow Road helped me. But it was also down to my performances.” Murty of course, has now been replaced at Ibrox by Gerrard. And although Middleton has plenty of sympathy for his former boss, he can’t wait to see how the Liverpool legend operates.
He said: “I think everyone is excited about the new manager.
“You’re never too sure what to expect but I think one thing for sure is it’ll be interesting and enjoyable.”