Rangers manager Steven Gerrard may have dropped a bit of a hint this pre-season with his both taking to Malaga and prominent use of youth winger Serge Atakayi. The Congo-born but Finnish national attacker has been impressive in the development squad, while also amassing a number of caps for his country’s U19 side.
Given his emergence in pre-season training this season with the seniors, it is not a leap to suggest the manager is impressed with him enough to consider him first team squad material.
The 19-year old winger/attacking midfielder arrived at Ibrox almost two years ago, and in that time has been a prominent member of the development squad, with a number of appearances on the senior bench, and his inclusion to Spain has not gone unnoticed, albeit defender Nikola Katic might not have been able to see him from up there…
Manager Steven Gerrard clearly rates the lad enough to want to give him more experience with the senior players, and he is not the only development squad or youth player to feature in Andalusia – but he has been simmering around the first team for quite a while and the significance of his involvement right now in Spain cannot be overlooked.
Whether Serge is good enough to stake a first team place we’re less sure – he has Josh Windass, Scott Arfield, Jamie Murphy, Daniel Candeias and even fellow Spain youth camper Glenn Middleton for company.
But if he’s good enough, he’s good enough. We’ll see.
Atakayi went to Florida in January as part of the Winter break with the senior players, yet still didn't make a first team appearance. Here's hoping he can push on next season.
Both him and Middleton are well thought of and have pace to burn …lwts hope the can assimilate into the squad as we need as much pace trickery and cover as we can afford …I see Arfield being key as the pivot role in the Team like Gerrard infield extension
Him, Barjonas, Middleton and Aidan W should all get a shot next Season! 😁👍⚽
I've seen this lad play a few times, he certainly has some tricks under his sleeve with a bit of pace. Delighted Gerrards taking him along to give him first team experience.
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