Rangers told to proceed with caution over 'quality' player as Ibrox future assessed amid form surge
The winger has impressed throughout his Kilmarnock loan spell
Rangers must proceed with caution regarding the future of 19-year old prospect Findlay Curtis, according to former defender Alan Hutton.
The winger has been in fine form for Kilmarnock since signing on loan in January and recently helped the club secure their Premiership status next season despite being in a relegation battle when he arrived. The Scotsman bagged four goals in 12 appearances for the Ayrshire side, where he has become a fan favourite.
Curtis showed promise at the start of the season at Ibrox however still struggled for minutes under both Russell Martin and Danny Rohl, with Mikey Moore, Djeidi Gassama and Oliver Antman ahead of him in the selection pecking order. However, due to his performances at Rugby Park, which helped him earn his first Scotland cap in March, Hutton would like to see him slot straight back in the Rangers lineup, despite speculation another loan move is on the cards.
Rangers should do everything in their power to keep ‘quality’ youngster
Speaking alongside former Hearts man Michael Stewart on the Scottish Football Social Club, Hutton said: “You look at the likes of Finlay Curtis and what he's done, the goals, you can see him improving week-on-week. The Scotland squad has obviously helped as well, with his confidence, and I just think he's grown and matured as a player.
“If he was playing at that level, he'd be one of the first names down on that Rangers team sheet. From what I've seen so far, I think he's showing everybody out there what he's capable of and I think he's only going to get better. I mean, the more you play, the more you develop. You can even see him filling out more. His physicality looks better.
“I think the big thing for him is you go back with him, you're trying to break into that first team. The pre-season is massive for him. You'll get minutes there and then it's up to him to grab the opportunity with both hands. He's definitely got the quality. I hope he gets a chance at Rangers. It'll be up to him to then take it.”
Versatility of Curtis makes him ace in the pack
The Rangers youngster has been deployed on the right wing, left wing and even at times wing back this season but has never looked out of place in any of these areas. Stewart believes Curtis’ versatility makes him a more attractive wide option than some of the current crop. He added: “It would be criminal now, if they weren't looking at Finlay Curtis and going, right, we need to create that space.
“He is one of our go-to guys, but he is one of the guys that is going to be an attacking threat for us. And the thing that separates him from a lot of the others is he can play left, right and deeper, if needed. How many times do you see right-sided or inverted wingers now? Like Gassama is a perfect example. Can he really play on the right? No. Whereas Finlay Curtis, he can. He can go either wing and do a good job. So, from a Scotland perspective, it's brilliant. From Rangers' perspective, it's on to them now.”
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