Is Glenn Middleton in line to earn his first Rangers start against Dundee?

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Middleton has broken into Rangers’ side, but is yet to start a match.

Steven Gerrard may be tempted to finally hand youngster Glenn Middleton his first start for Rangers after new signing Eros Grezda was reportedly told to return to Glasgow with an ankle problem.

The Daily Record claim Albania boss Christian Panucci deemed 23-year-old summer signing Grezda was not fit enough to play for Albania over the international break – meaning he will miss Monday’s clash against Scotland.

He has been told to return to Ibrox, as the £1.8million recruit struggles to overcome an ankle injury that has hindered him since March. Though he played for NK Osijek in May, he was not 100 per cent.

Grezda’s injury will come as a blow with Rangers looking to rest their first-team stars for their Europa League group stage opener against Spanish giants Villarreal in Spain on Thursday after next Saturday’s clash against Dundee.

With only Ryan Kent and Daniel Candeias to choose from out wide, as Grezda and Jamie Murphy sit on the sidelines, Gerrard could rest one of his first-choice wingers by starting Middleton against Dundee.

The Dee have struggled this season, losing all four of their Scottish Premiership outings under Neil McCann, and are bereft of confidence. The last thing they need, then, is to go to Ibrox to face Gerrard’s side.

Middleton is somewhat of a favourite of Gerrard’s, after the ex-Liverpool and England captain handed Middelton his debut in Europa League qualifying against FK Shkupi back in June.

However, the 18-year-old is yet to start any of his six Rangers appearances under Gerrard, but next Saturday could finally see the Scotland Under-21 international see his name in the first eleven.