THE journey through the ranks to the brink of the Rangers first team is one that countless kids have completed over the years. The final steps then prove far more difficult to take.

A bit of league, cup or European action whets the appetite, but getting a taste of success in the long run is a feat that few have achieved.

That, of course, is something that has to change in the short to medium term and Rangers need the investment, in time, money and personnel, in the Academy system to pay dividends in the future.

The loan move that Ross McCrorie made to Portsmouth has given the midfielder a chance to make the necessary improvements to his game to earn a place in Steven Gerrard’s squad next term.

And Glenn Middleton will hope to achieve that same aim as he gets set to head away from Ibrox to Easter Road.

Middleton fell out of favour as last season progressed but he showed enough in his 28 outings - which saw him score five times - to suggest he could be one for the future at Ibrox.

The arrivals of Jordan Jones, Greg Stewart, Sheyi Ojo and Jake Hastie, plus the return of Jamie Murphy, meant Middleton was always likely to struggle for regular action this term.

One step back could allow him to take the two or three forward that he needs to complete his own journey.