Rangers youngster Glenn Middleton was said to be set for a season loan to Dutch side NAC Breda, but it has now been reported that Hibernian are trying to secure a loan.
Young Rangers winger Glenn Middleton had impressive moments last season but, after some roster improvements, this Summer doesn’t look like he’s quite ready to be a main contributor this season.
With that in mind, Rangers are looking for a good place to have their prized youngster spend the season on loan to develop.
Recently there were reports that Middleton was heading to Dutch side NAC Breda, who play in the second tier of Dutch football, but Hibernian have apparently been making a late push to try and land a deal to take him for the season.
The Edinburgh side are looking for attacking power after some injuries in the preseason, and apparently, Middleton is to their liking.
The move does come somewhat out of nowhere, as the deal to send Middleton to the Netherlands was so close that Steven Gerrard himself said that it was close to being finished, but once you stop to think about it, the deal makes sense.
Hibernian lost Martin Boyle for the foreseeable future and could really use Middleton’s pace, and Rangers think that Middleton is the sort of player who could be a great impact player for them in the future he simply got pushed out for this season. Given that, having Middleton continue to learn his trade playing in the league he (hopefully) spends a good chunk of his career can only be a good thing. On top of that, Hibernian is a well-supported club with real expectations.
The only downside is the main one that always comes with loaning a player inside the league. Potentially making another team stronger is always concerning, especially when it’s a club like Hibs who Rangers have not exactly been on friendly terms with in the past.
All that said, I think it would be the best move for Middleton. Keep him in Scotland where he can continue to develop in the league, and if he plays well Rangers will know his full quality when he returns since he is facing the same competition he will while wearing a Rangers kit.