NINE players have so far come through the door at Ibrox as the Steven Gerrard Rangers revolution gathers pace, but the most exciting addition to the first-team picture this season may well come from within.

Young Glenn Middleton, who arrived at the club back in January to initially play for the under-20s, has had a taste of top-team action since the new manager’s arrival, and the Ibrox faithful are excited by what they have seen so far.

Those of a certain age may well recoil in horror when they hear that the 18-year-old was born on the first day of the new millennium, but remarkably, this boy looked ready to become a man as he was thrown into the deep end towards the end of Rangers’ win over FK Shkupi in Europa League qualifying on Thursday night.

The Scotland under-21 international was direct, full of running, invention and no little skill as he made an immediate impact playing off the left wing, showing no fear at being pitched in as 50,000 Rangers supporters started to feel a little edgy due to their side’s narrow advantage as the clock ticked down.

The fresh impetus he gave them was pivotal to turning the mood in the stands, and Middleton says that no matter the situation he is thrown into, he will always remain true to his natural impulse to get on the front foot.

“I’ve enjoyed it so far,” said Middleton. “I’ve only played 15 minutes of first team football so far so it’s not much, but I just need to keep building from there, show [the manager] what I can do in training every day and if I get the opportunity in games just take it from there and show what I’m capable of.

“I don’t really fear much, so if we are losing or even if I’ve not being playing my best I’ll still go at my man every single time because I’m confident in myself that I can always make that one chance for the team to hopefully get a goal.

“You just try and take every game the same, show what you can do. No games are different, yes there might be a few more fans there but at the end of the day you still have to do the dirty work for the team and you’ve still got to try and impress as well.”

And impress he has. Middleton seems a little embarrassed when praise from fans is brought to his attention, having taken the decision to avoid social media.

“My family try and keep me quite grounded so I’m not really into all of that, checking what’s been said,” he explained.

“It’s always nice to get some recognition but, as I say, that’s hopefully the start and it doesn’t mean much the next day because you have to show yourself to everyone again what you can do.”

For all his bashfulness, there is no doubting the confidence Middleton has in his own ability. He admits though that is a little surreal to clearly be rated by someone of the statue of manager Gerrard.

“It’s a big boost for anyone, it means a lot to be given the faith and the chances he has given me so far, he said. “So, hopefully I can keep showing what I’m capable of doing and get some more.

“It’s just taking it day by day, that’s the message to everyone and me personally just do what I can every day to show what I’m capable of.

“Not many people were sure what to expect when a new manager comes into a club, no matter who it is. It’s just a case of trying to take your opportunity when it is given to you.”

And Middleton feels that having confidence in his ability to make an impact if given that chance has enabled him to grasp the nettle.

“I think anyone would be lying if they said they wouldn’t [be confident],” he said. “It’s the same for all the young boys. We come in every day, show him what we can do, and hopefully get our names on the team-sheet as soon as possible.”

The next frontier for Middleton and his teammates is navigating the return leg against FK Shkupi in Skopje as they look to protect the two-goal advantage they managed to eke out against the Macedonians at Ibrox.

The youngster may be tender in years, but he is wise enough to know that there is still work to be done if Rangers are to avoid another disappointing exit from European competition.

“Obviously it wasn’t the perfect performance but it’s a win and we take that into the next [game] and we go from there,” he said. “We’ve obviously got the win, but the job is far from done.

“So, I think we just get back to work on the training pitch, try and fix the things that maybe weren’t as perfect as they should have been, and we go into Tuesday and obviously try to get through to the next round.

“You obviously want to go as far as you can. You just try and do your best in every game and see where it takes you. It’s pointless setting targets because you can always go and break them and get as far as possible.”