Rangers boss Mark Warburton has refused to put a timescale on Matt Crooks’ return to first team action, despite the defensive midfielder featuring in an Under-20s game against St. Mirren on Tuesday.
Crooks, who agreed a pre-contract with Rangers over a summer move to Ibrox in January, suffered a serious ankle injury in March whilst still at Accrington Stanley.
The 22-year-old returned to training with the full squad last week and was involved in Rangers Under-20s’ 1-0 loss to St. Mirren at the Forthbank Stadium.
Although, Warburton is hopeful about Crooks featuring in the testimonial match against Linfield on 3rd September, the manager was reluctant to provide a return date for the youngster.
“Matt hasn’t played in five and a half months so it was good to get a run out”, Warburton was quoted as saying by the Herald Scotland.
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“It’s about giving him some confidence to play football again. He has been training hard and doing well, but it was a nasty injury that kept him out for quite a while.
“Hopefully he will be involved when we go over to Linfield, but there is no timescale on Matt.”
Warburton then went on to laud Crooks’ attitude, with the starlet yet to feature for Rangers since joining the Scottish giants in the summer.
“He has had a hard time of it, with the injury and frustration as well. Moving to Rangers and not being able to join in has been hard for him”, the Rangers manager continued.
“But he has shown a great attitude for a young player. He has worked hard with the physio team and is getting there.
“Matt can play defensive midfield because he is technically comfortable on the ball and sees the game. And he can be a centre-half as well. He is 6ft 4 and a half inches, a huge size.
“He has good physicality and a good spring."
Crooks, who is contracted with Rangers until 2020, is a product of Huddersfield Town's academy.
