NafisaRangers may have enjoyed a comfortable afternoon at Ibrox, but behind the scenes, one of the club’s most promising young talents is facing an increasingly uncertain future under Derek McInnes.
The Light Blues delivered a commanding 4-0 victory over St Johnstone on Saturday, October 24, keeping themselves firmly in the Scottish Premiership title race. Yet while the first team celebrated an important result, one young player was left wondering when his next opportunity would arrive.
Despite the manager using all five substitutions, the 20-year-old remained on the bench for the entire match. It was another frustrating afternoon for a player who had been expected to make a significant impact this season after impressing during a loan spell last term.
Now, with January approaching and regular first-team football proving difficult to secure, questions are growing over whether the youngster will have to leave Ibrox again to get his career moving.
Findlay Curtis was unable to get onto the pitch as Rangers swept aside St Johnstone in a 4-0 victory that helped McInnes keep his side in contention at the top of the table.
Ryan Naderi, Kevin Kelsy and Tochi Chukwuani all got on the scoresheet, while McInnes also handed Badredine Bouanani and Minsu Kim their first starts together out wide this season.
However, Curtis was not among the substitutes introduced, despite Rangers making all five available changes.
The decision is another setback for the 20-year-old Scotland international, whose situation has become increasingly difficult after failing to start any of Rangers’ last five Scottish Premiership matches.
Curtis had entered the campaign with hopes of establishing himself as a regular first-team option. His impressive loan spell at Kilmarnock last season had raised expectations that he could make the next step in his development and become a valuable member of the Rangers squad.
Instead, opportunities have been limited, leaving his immediate future open to question.
January Loan Exit Now A Possibility
According to a report from Ibrox News, Curtis could be better off leaving Rangers on loan again when the January transfer window opens.
The winger’s lack of regular minutes is becoming a major obstacle to his progress, particularly at an age when consistent first-team football can be crucial to development.
McInnes appears to have settled on his preferred starting options, and breaking into the team has proved difficult for Curtis as Rangers pursue domestic success.
With the manager prioritising results during a competitive title race, there may be limited opportunities for the youngster to build momentum at Ibrox over the coming weeks.
A January loan move could therefore offer a practical solution, allowing Curtis to play regularly elsewhere rather than spending more time watching from the sidelines.
His previous spell at Kilmarnock demonstrated that he can benefit from being given opportunities, and another temporary move could help him return to Rangers with greater experience and confidence.
However, any decision will depend on McInnes’ assessment of the squad and whether he believes Curtis can still play a meaningful role during the second half of the season.
Rangers Must Decide What Is Best For Their Youngster
Curtis’ situation presents Rangers with a familiar dilemma: whether to keep a promising young player around the first team or allow him to leave temporarily in search of regular football.
Keeping him at Ibrox would preserve another attacking option for McInnes, particularly if injuries or fixture congestion create opportunities later in the campaign.
But if Curtis continues to struggle for minutes, another loan spell could be more beneficial than remaining on the bench week after week.
The winger’s performances at Kilmarnock last season helped raise expectations, making his current lack of involvement particularly frustrating for a player hoping to establish himself at his parent club.
At just 20, Curtis still has time to develop, but his next move could be important in determining how quickly he progresses.
McInnes must now decide whether there is a realistic pathway for the youngster to earn more opportunities at Rangers or whether a January departure would better serve his development.
Will Findlay Curtis Leave Ibrox In January?
For now, Curtis remains a Rangers player, and there has been no confirmation that a January exit has been agreed.
Nevertheless, his failure to start the last five league matches and his omission from the substitutes used against St Johnstone have intensified questions about his prospects under McInnes.
Rangers are chasing important domestic objectives, meaning the manager may be reluctant to disrupt a settled lineup simply to provide opportunities to younger players.
That leaves Curtis facing a potentially decisive few months. If his situation does not improve before January, another loan move could become an increasingly attractive option for all parties.
The priority for the young Scotland international will be finding a route back to regular football. Whether that happens at Ibrox or elsewhere could become one of Rangers’ key decisions when the transfer window reopens.
Nafisa
