RANGERS legend Willie Johnston has urged Steven Gerrard to make Glenn Middleton a regular in his starting line-up.

Johnston believes the teenage winger is exactly what Rangers need to give them the creative spark in the next four days when they face Rapid Vienna in the Europa League tomorrow night and then Ladbrokes Premiership leaders Hearts on Sunday.

Middleton was given his first start last week when he scored twice in the 4-0 victory over Ayr United that has taken Rangers to the semi-finals of the Betfred Cup where they will face Aberdeen on October 28 at Hampden.

However, he was back on the bench last Sunday and only got the last 20 minutes as the Light Blues woefully failed to trouble Gary Holt’s Livingston side who ran out 1-0 winners.

Johnston was a teenager when he burst on to the scene at Rangers back in 1964 and never looked back, spending eight seasons at Ibrox in his first spell culminating in the Cup Winners’ Cup triumph in Barcelona when he scored two goals in the famous 3-2 win over Moscow Dynamo.

He can see parallels between Middleton and himself and he feels the 18-year-old should be given the chance on a more regular basis.

Johnston said: “I would love to see Glenn Middleton get a run in the side because he is the type of player that makes things happen.

“Never mind passing the ball square, get it to young Glenn and he can get past the full-back and deliver a cross.

“It was fantastic to seem him doing so well in the League Cup tie with Ayr last week.

“He not only played well, he scored two goals which is a brilliant thing to do on your first start.

“For me he can be the difference for Rangers and provide that creativity that they lacked at Livingston.

“Defenders hate being turned and Glenn is like a classic winger where he uses his pace to get the space needed to set up chances.

“I was only 17 when I came into the team so there is a bit of a similarity there and I hope he can get a run of games now.”

Although Rangers slipped up badly on the plastic at the Tony Macaroni Arena last Sunday, and the statistics show they have made their worst league start in nearly 30 years, Johnston has been hugely encouraged by what Gerrard is doing at Ibrox.

The former Scotland winger said: “It’s been night and day watching Rangers this season under Steven Gerrard compared to last season.

“And this is the way it should be, because the fans deserve it.

“I know they suffered that big disappointment last Sunday at Livingston and also at Celtic Park, but overall it’s been brilliant to watch Rangers this season.

“Importantly they have been very strong at Ibrox and that was something they had to address after what happened last season.

“They lost eight home games, which was unbelievable, but Gerrard has sorted that out.

“The next big step for Rangers is to win a major honour again and I hope that happens this season.

“The club has been through a lot in the last six years but I like what I’m seeing and it would great for everyone if they could become winners again.”