Alan Hutton believes Rangers full-back Adam Devine should be looking to head out on loan in January.
The 20-year-old made his first team breakthrough nearly a year ago when Michael Beale started him in his initial handful of games after the winter break.
He's found game time hard to come by since though, with James Tavernier naturally filling the right-back slot upon his return to fitness.
There is no added competition for places in the building with Dujon Sterling signed from Chelsea in the summer.
And former Gers and Scotland right-back Hutton reckons regular game time is essential for Devine to continue his development.
“Adam Devine is a player who has come through the youth set-up and plays in the same position as me, so I keep a close eye on him," Hutton told OLBG. "He played a few games last season and I thought he'd played really well. His one problem is James Tavernier. Tavernier is the club captain, he's a standout performer. He scored his 112th goal for the club at the weekend, which is quite incredible. So it's always going to be difficult for him. That being said, he's not going to be there forever.
“So if Devine's not playing at this moment in time, I think he has to go out and play football games, whether it be in the SPFL or down south in England. He has to get those minutes under his belt so he's ready to come back and hopefully be ready to be a starter. I think he's got what it takes, but he needs to go and learn and play football.”
Asked if there was anyone better to learn from than Tavenier, the 38-year-old replied: “Not at the club that he's at this moment in time. I think he's perfect to learn from. Can you learn from different players? Of course, you can. Different leagues, different cultures, different ways of playing. I think that all adds to him as a player and he would come back a better player.”
