The new Glasgow Rangers manager Mark Warburton is extremely pleased that the Arsenal starlet Gedion Zelalem has decided to move up to Scotland for the whole of this season, rather than move to one of the Championship clubs that were competing for his signature.
The 18 year-old is hoping to beef himself up during a tough season in the Scottish Championship, where they are favourites to win automatic promotion back to the Scottish Premier League. Zelalem will be unveiled before tomorrow’s home match against Hibernians and will get a taste of the incredible atmosphere with over 50,000 fans expected at Ibrox.
Warburton is a Tottenham fan and has also brought in two loanees from Spurs in Nathan Oduwa and Dominic Ball, and they can all expect some game time at the Scottish giants. Warburton has a large squad and made five changes from last weekends side for the midweek trip to Alloa, and has promised every a chance to shine. He said: “Players expecting to keep their place automatically? If we had that situation we are dead, we really are. It’s got to be about the squad.
“We had a really tight squad last year at Brentford and used the fewest number of players in the entire Football League. You must ensure your entire squad can feel, touch and taste the first team.
“If you’re turning up for work and you’ve no chance of getting to the first team then we’ve created the wrong working environment.
“We’re nearly there in terms of numbers and if we have a problem and the window is still open we will move.”
Zelalem may have more chance of plaing than others as Warburton was quick to praise the USA U20 international. Warburton said: “He’s an extremely talented ball player who sees a pass, is very creative and one of the young gems at Arsenal.
“He’s a No.8 or a 10, slight in frame but very clever.”
We all hope that he buckles down and spends a lot of time on the pitch and in the gym. He could easily be an Arsenal first team player in the next few years….