Report – Rangers refuse loan exit for teenage starlet, first team inclusion looming
Rangers rejected an offer from Cowdenbeath to take teenage striker Dapo Mebude on loan, according to the Scottish Sun.
A report from the outlet suggests that the lower league side were eyeing up an ambitious swoop for the 18-year-old, but were knocked back by the Gers, who believe Mebude could have a role to play in the first team between now and the end of the season.
The starlet’s impressive performance in the Ibrox club’s Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup semi-final win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle earlier this month was enough to pique the interest of Cowdenbeath manager Gary Bollan, but he has since revealed that his approach was flatly refused.
As quoted by The Sun, he said: “We were keen to give Dapo some experience however we were told that the Rangers management want to keep him close at hand for the rest of the season.
“We only have a couple of days left to bring someone in so it is disappointing.”
League One and Two sides have until the end of February to sign players on loan.
What does this mean?
On the face of it, Rangers rejecting a loan move for one of their players is nothing too special, especially when you consider the fact that Steven Gerrard’s men are outside of the transfer window and would not be able to sign cover, should they require it.
What is interesting, however, is that the Ibrox side’s management believe that he is potentially ready for the first team.
There’s no doubting that Mebude is an exciting prospect, but as of yet, he still has just 27 minutes of senior action to his name.
There have been some really promising signs at youth level, however, and thus far, he has averaged 5.12 successful dribbles, 3.2 aerial duels won, and 2.72 shots on target this season, as per Wyscout.
In short, he’s looking handy, and it would appear that Steven Gerrard thinks so too.
In other Rangers news, ‘This spells trouble’ – Charlie Nicholas predicts Gers clash v Braga.