Stepping back has resulted in personal progress for Middleton

GLENN MIDDLETON admits his time out of the spotlight has given him the chance to work on both his brawn and his brain to become a far stronger asset for Rangers.

The 19-year-old winger was a real success in the Europa League earlier this season, but hasn’t started a game since the league draw with Hibernian on Boxing Day and was invited to drop down to the reserves for a period to regain his confidence following a dip in form.

However, he has studied the first team’s matches avidly during his time away from the matchday squad and worked hard with the sports science staff at the Hummel Training Centre to build up his physique to the degree that the change really is quite noticeable.

Having returned to the bench for the victory over Motherwell in the last fixture before the split, Middleton (below) returned to first-team action off the bench in yesterday’s 3-1 win over Hearts and believes he is ready to show the difference taking a step back from the front line has made.

‘It has allowed me to work harder in the gym, get stronger, faster, fitter, and allowed me to work on different things in training that will hopefully come off in the future,’ he said. ‘I definitely feel like a better player now. Even sitting up in the stands and watching the tactics of the team, seeing where the wingers will sit when we don’t have the ball and when we are meant to press, is only helping.’ Manager Steven Gerrard is more than happy with the attitude and application Middleton has shown whilst out of the first-team picture.

‘We spoke to all the players about achieving elite standards in pre-season,’ he said. ‘Glenn is getting close to a Premier League body. He is in great shape.

‘I have been pleased with Glenn because his attitude and work ethic has stayed exactly the same.

‘Putting him into the reserves was a good test. Was he going to be Billy Big Time or knuckle down? That is what he has done and that’s why he’s back in the squad.’

Middleton scored twice in a 2-0 win over Celtic last Monday to move Rangers ever closer to the SPFL Reserve League title and showed an ability to serve as an option through the middle.

‘I always liked playing through the middle when I was younger,’ he said. ‘I need to remember, though, that what made me stand out at the start was standing out wide, getting past people and crossing it or getting a goal, so I can’t lose that.’