It must have been devastating for Greg Docherty last summer as he was surplus to requirements at Ibrox and was loaned out to Shrewsbury Town in the English League One. But the Rangers youngster did everything that he could have done to impress Steven Gerrard and performed majestically for the Shrews in their battle to avoid relegation.
The 22-year-old Scotsman was voted as Shrewsbury’s Player of the Year with ten goals and 11 assists to his name having made 50 appearances in all competitions. His hard work paid off at New Meadow, and the midfielder has now been backed by his former boss Sam Ricketts to be a success in his second attempt in Glasgow.
“I will follow him and I will wish him all the best and I hope that he can go and impress again this season and do well. We are really keen for him to go on and have a great career and then we can say that we helped, that we were a very small part, of helping him achieve that.”
The Shrewsbury chief spoke highly of Docherty in a recent interview with the Herald.
Does Docherty Stand A Chance In Gerrard’s Gameplan?
Despite impressing on loan, it is still unclear whether the gaffer fancies him in the middle of the park. Docherty announced his Rangers return with an eye-catching goal in their friendly win over Mansfield Town, but the arrival of Joe Aribo and Steven Davis has made it more difficult for him to reclaim a starting role at his boyhood club.
The likes of Jordan Rossiter, Jason Holt and Graham Dorrans are set for an Ibrox exit whereas Ross McCrorie has already joined Portsmouth on a season-long loan for regular minutes. This might see the former Scotland youth international stay and fight for his place during the upcoming campaign.
How He Might Be Utilized Next Season
Glen Kamara, Ryan Jack and Steven Davis – all were impressive last season in the centre of the pitch. They, however, are known for building up moves and orchestrating the flow from behind. Docherty, 0n the other hand, is more of a box-to-box midfielder who adds goals and assists to his game and might be deployed to cover as well as challenge new signing Aribo.
The latter is regarded for similar traits having exhibited his excellence for Charlton in their promotion success, and the ongoing pre-season would be crucial for the ex-Accies prodigy to stake a claim in Gerrard’s first-team plans.
