Alan Hutton delivers verdict on confirmed Rangers exit as transfer window opens
Rangers are all set for a busy January transfer window.
The Gers are very much geared up for something of a clear out this month, as reported by The Athletic, and it looks as if they’ve already made a solid start on that process.
As confirmed on Monday, the club have allowed Serge Atakayi to leave the club for Finnish side SJK.
Hopes had seemingly been fairly high for the youngster, who was given his first team debut by Steven Gerrard as an 18-year-old, but an ankle injury stunted his development somewhat and his chances at Ibrox fizzled out accordingly.
But ex-Gers defender Alan Hutton doesn’t seem too disappointed by the forward’s exit.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “He’s obviously been given opportunities and Gerrard either sees people in the position that are stronger or he’s not for him, basically.
“If you get given an opportunity and you don’t take it, you’re going to be out the team, and sometimes it’s better for a player just to move on and try become a better player elsewhere.
“It happens everywhere, it’s one of those where he gives you the opportunity, maybe he doesn’t quite fancy you or somebody that’s in the position that’s doing better. It’s probably best sometimes if you just move on to better your career in the long run.”
This is a fair argument from Hutton, and he does make some salient points, but you can’t help wondering whether Atakayi could have been given more time.
Granted, it could be a case of the player wanting to leave the club, and if that is the case then it’s probably best to let him go, but if this is a decision from the board and management based purely on his footballing ability then surely it wouldn’t have been too much of an ask to give him more time.
After all, he is still only 20, and there were enough flashes from him to suggest there is a talent in there somewhere.
Only time will tell, but let’s just hope the Gers don’t come to regret this one.
In other news, Kris Boyd includes current Rangers trio in Scottish Premiership team of the decade.