Rangers midfielder Greg Docherty is set to play a part in the first team at Ibrox next season after being cast out of the squad by Steven Gerrard this campaign.
The Daily Record claim on their website that the 22-year-old, who was shipped out on loan to Shrewsbury last summer, will almost certainly be included among the senior outfit over the summer and into next season after impressing on loan at the League One side.
It is stated that Gerrard considered recalling him in January but decided against it and that he will be given his chance to shine at Rangers in pre-season.
What’s changed for Docherty?
Many people were surprised to see the Rangers man leave Ibrox temporarily last summer, especially after playing a role in the first team on a regular basis during the 2017/18 campaign.
It seems as though Gerrard thought his development would be best suited playing on a consistent basis rather than acting as backup to the first team – with plenty of competition to try and overcome at Rangers – and that is exactly what he has got at Shrewsbury.
With 45 games worth of experience under his belt across all competitions in England, including 180 minutes of action and a goal against Premier League high flyers Wolves in the FA Cup, he has definitely played more than he would have had he remained in Glasgow, and with a total of nine goals and 11 assists, he has taken his chance impressively.
Fighting it out at the top of the Scottish Premiership is a different kettle of fish, but there is no denying that Docherty looks to have taken his game up a notch.
Where does he fit in at Rangers?
While Gerrard might have thought there were too many similar players to Docherty at the start of the season, the midfielder’s performances have proven his manager wrong.
No one has provided the same sort of creative spark that the 22-year-old has shown, adding both goals and assists to his game as he links up the midfield to the attack.
That has been a big miss for the Gers and it is no wonder Docherty looks set to play a role in the squad next season – he looks perfectly suited to fill that gaping void at Ibrox.