Glasgow Rangers announced on Twitter this week that Lewis Mayo had signed a new contract at Ibrox.
When Steven Gerrard took charge of Rangers for the first time in the summer, he set out his stall by naming a number of youngsters in the squad for the Gers’ friendly with Bury.
Amongst those given a taste of the senior side was Kyle Bradley and Aidan Wilson with both men coming on during the second-half to replace the starting centre-backs Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic.
With Joe Worrall and Gareth McAuley subsequently arriving at Ibrox, it is no surprise that Gerrard decided to allow the two youngsters to head out on loan, with Wilson heading to Forfar until the end of December, while Bradley is set to be with Annan for a month longer.
The pair will be hoping that the first-team experience will allow them to improve their chances of game-time upon their returns to Rangers, but perhaps their absences hand an opportunity to one of their teammates.
Lewis Mayo was not in the squad for the game with Bury in the summer, but the club have confirmed this week that he has signed a contract extension that is set to keep him at Ibrox until 2021.
Mayo is yet another talented youngster that the Gers seemingly have extremely high hopes for, and his new contract hints that the club are very happy with his progress.
Gerrard has shown no fear when it comes to handing youngsters game-time in the first-team. And although he has no reason to dip into the youth ranks for a centre-back right now, Mayo may potentially be a player on his radar in case his options are stretched.
Bradley and Wilson are probably further along in their development, but Mayo could have a tremendous opportunity if Gerrard needs to call someone up before the pair return from their loans.
And with Glenn Middleton proving that it can take just one performance to turn someone into a first-team player, Mayo should take some encouragement that if he does get his chance, he can push himself much closer to the senior picture at Ibrox.
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