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Could Joe Dodoo’s return to Firhill prove turning point in Rangers spell?

Rangers manager Graeme Murty is seen during the Scottish Cup Quarter final match between Rangers and Hamilton Academical at Ibrox Stadium on March ...
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Glasgow Rangers forward Joe Dodoo has been included in the provisional squad for the Ibrox side’s next Scottish Premiership game.

Joe Dodoo of Rangers reacts during the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final match between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park on April 23, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland.

For much of the season, it has appeared that Joe Dodoo’s time at Rangers may not be too far off coming to an uninspiring conclusion, with the forward struggling to prove himself out on loan with Charlton Athletic.

Now back at Ibrox, Dodoo has taken little time to bring himself back onto Graeme Murty’s radar. An inspired performance in an under-20 game has since been followed by a substitute appearance in the Scottish Cup win over Fraserburgh last month.

Mikael Lustig of Celtic vies with Joe Dodoo of Rangers controls the ball during the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final match between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park on April 23, 2017...

And now the Daily Record reports that Dodoo is in the provisional squad for tonight’s trip to Firhill to face Partick Thistle in the Scottish Premiership. And while it currently seems unlikely that Dodoo will feature against the Jags given the other attacking options within the squad, perhaps a return to that particular ground may prove to be exactly what the 22-year-old needs.

It was during the Gers’ visit to Firhill last season that Dodoo enjoyed his greatest triumph as a Rangers player – so perhaps Murty may be tempted to give him a chance to use Tuesday’s game as a turning point.

Rangers imanager Graeme Murty is seen during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Aberdeen at Ibrox Stadium on January 24, 2018 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Dodoo was introduced into the game back in November 2016 on the hour mark when the score was 0-0, but Rangers’ job was made much tougher as Kris Doohlan put the home side in front 14 minutes from time.

However, the former Leicester City trainee turned the game on its head inside the final 10 minutes to ensure that the Light Blues bagged the three points.

His first goal was a stunning volley from just inside the area after a deft flick from Kenny Miller. It was the same pair who linked up for the winner, with Miller sliding Dodoo in, before the youngster passed the ball into the back of the net in stoppage-time.

It, of course, seems like a long time ago now – only nine of the 18 that were in the matchday squad on that day are in Murty’s provisional squad this time around – but perhaps returning to the ground where Dodoo sent the fans into a frenzy may be exactly what the youngster needs to get this new chapter off to a positive start.