Manchester United loanee Amad has returned to Rangers training ahead of tonight’s Europa League last-16 first leg.
The talented 19-year-old has missed the Scottish champions last two matches, but he looks to have recovered from the unspecified injury he picked up.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side welcome Serbian side Red Star Belgrade to Ibrox tonight after pulling off a huge giant killing and beating German giants Borussia Dortmund in the round of 32.
Amad didn’t feature in either of the two games against the Bundesliga side, but he will champing at the bit to experience playing on a European night, under the lights at Ibrox.
The teenager was part of the first team group that trained yesterday ahead of the clash, but it remains to be seen whether he will form part of the matchday squad.
It’s been a stop-start beginning to life north of the border for the teenager, but after announcing his arrival with a goal five minutes into his debut, Amad has struggled to kick on from that moment.
After being brought off at half-time in the 3-0 defeat to arch rivals Celtic, the Ivory Coast international has made just one further start which came in the Scottish Cup against lower league side Annan Athletic.
His prospects of breaking into van Bronckhorst’s side have been downplayed by former Rangers striker Mark Hateley.
But Amad didn’t make the loan move to Rangers to make up the numbers and see the season pass him by.
He and Manchester United would have been aware that there were no guarantees he would get regular first team action, but it’s a good challenging test of his young character to see how he reacts to the recent disappointment.
Amad had next to little prospects of featuring under interim boss Ralf Rangnick had he stayed at Manchester United for the remainder of the season.
Playing the odd game at under-23 level wouldn’t have benefitted his development. But challenging for minutes in a team that is challenging on three fronts can only stand him in good stead.
Amad has to get his head down and do all he can to impress his manager in training before grasping his opportunity on the pitch when that next comes.
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