Former Rangers youngster Lewis MacLeod looked destined for an excellent career when he left Ibrox in 2015 but, after a disappointing few years, it appears as if the Gers sold him at the perfect time.

The midfielder impressed with Rangers in the lower leagues, contributing 16 goals and 15 assists for the Light Blues in just 76 appearances between 2012 and 2014.

He earned a move to Brentford as a result, with the Bees having earned a reputation for signing young players and developing them into top talents in recent seasons, although things didn't work out for MacLeod at the London club.

Speaking ahead of his move, interim Rangers boss Kenny McDowall had this to say about the youngster: "It would be naturally a blow to see him go. He is a talented lad and he's got the opportunity to move on, which looks like it may now be the case.

"It's disappointing to lose him but that is football. You have got to move on. Lewis is one of our top players but it is also an opportunity for someone else to come into the team and stake a claim."

In 43 first team appearances, MacLeod managed just four goals and six assists, with injury problems regularly keeping him out of the side. He joined Wigan Athletic on a free transfer in 2019 and spent just one season with the Latics, managing no goals or assists in 12 appearances.

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Last summer, he joined League One side Plymouth Argyle and unfortunately he is continuing to struggle at that level, with just one assist to his name in 14 appearances for the Pilgrims so far this season.

His impressive spell as a youngster at Rangers seems like a very long time ago now and you wonder whether he would have been better staying with the club and helping them return to the top flight, as it is clear that his time at Ibrox was the best spell of his career so far.

MacLeod is now 26 and. considering his less than stellar performances with Plymouth, unfortunately he may well find himself without a club again in the near future.

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Therefore, Rangers' decision to sell MacLeod for as much as £1m in 2015 must be applauded, as his disappointing time with Brentford certainly suggests that they paid over the odds to sign him, whilst his current market value of £428,000 on Transfermarkt is the lowest in six years.

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