David Bates became Glasgow Rangers’ first permanent signing of the January transfer window.
David Bates’ former boss Gary Locke has suggested that the youngster is still a long way off being ready to challenge for a place in Rangers’ first-team, the Evening Times reports.
The 20-year-old became the Gers’ first permanent signing of the January transfer window after clearly doing enough since moving to Ibrox on loan in the summer.
However, despite earning a permanent switch, Bates is still awaiting the chance to make his debut for the first-team, and Raith Rovers boss Locke has suggested that it may be a while before he is a contender to become a regular name on Mark Warburton’s teamsheet.
“It’s an unbelievable move for the lad and I certainly couldn’t stand in his way,” he said, as reported by the Evening Times.
“He is desperate to make the move, so we wish him all the best and hopefully he has a really good career.
“How long will it be before he can start challenging for a first-team spot there? Well he’s still got a long way to go but he has a lot of potential.”
Rangers manager Mark Warburton
Though the Light Blues’ defence has performed well so far this season, it is not unreasonable to suggest that Bates could be capable of forcing his way into the team before the end of the campaign.
The full-backs have done well while the likes of Clint Hill, Rob Kiernan and Danny Wilson have impressed at times. But with Hill well into the twilight of his career and with Philippe Senderos yet to prove himself since his arrival, there is perhaps an opportunity for the youngster to start creeping up the pecking order over the coming months.
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