Rangers Boss Gerrard Hands Debut To 17-Year-Old Dapo Mebude

Published: May 19, 2019

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard handed a debut to Nigeria U20-eligible winger Dapo Mebude on the final day of the Scottish Premiership season as Rangers were beaten 2-1 by Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Mebude was introduced to the pitch as a substitute in the 63rd minute as replacement for Daniel Candeias.

In doing so, the 17-year-old became the fifth Rangers Academy player to breakthrough into the first-team this season.

He is regarded as one of the top talents to come out of the Rangers Academy in recent years and was registered by Rangers for the group stage of this season's Europa League.

A tricky and pacy winger, Mebude is provisionally cap-tied to Scotland, having played competitively for their U17 and U19 teams, but remains eligible to turn out for his country of birth England as well as Nigeria.

He represented Rangers in the Reserve League and SFA Youth Cup, and played for the U20s in the Glasgow Cup this season, before making his professional debut this afternoon.

Burke's first half opener was cancelled out by Rangers' Morelos on 66 minutes, before an 89th minute penalty converted by Eamonn Brophy secured three points for the home team.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : rangers.co.uk