Rangers Football Club have handed a long-term contract extension to one of their brightest young prospects this week, so perhaps it's time for Steven Gerrard to unleash him on the rest of the Scottish Premiership.

Central defender Lewis Mayo has signed a deal until 2023 having been part of the first-team setup for several months now.

The 20-year-old was part of the squad during pre-season where the Gers kept a clean sheet against Champions League semi-finalists Lyon and has already got some experience in the Championship having featured briefly for Partick Thistle at the back end of last season.

He'll now link up with the Scotland U21 side ahead of their European qualifiers next week - another telling sign that he's ready for the next step.

Rangers will face a long and tiresome season, which involves chasing down Celtic before a possible tenth title in a row as well as a potential campaign in the Europa League.

Strength in depth will be needed.

Gerrard will be without Nikola Katic as the Croatian faces over six months out after picking up a cruciate injury during training whilst summer arrival Leon Balogun has also been out of the side through injury in recent weeks.

Therefore, a place amongst the Rs backline could become a reality for Mayo should his manager hand him an opportunity soon.

Rangers skipper James Tavernier lauded the youngster following the Lyon game, he said: "I thought Mayo was absolutely terrific, he looked solid at the back."

Gerrard is evidently a huge fan too with Mayo continuing to train as part of the first-team squad and his versatility could prove to be a vital factor as the season draws on.

Peter Lovenkrands, his former youth coach at Ibrox, has tipped him for big things, he said: "I’m a big fan of Lewis too. He is a fantastic player who can play at centre half or step up and play the holding role in midfield. He did that for us. He has passing ability with both feet and is so driven. He will do whatever it takes to get to where he wants to go and I really hope he gets his breakthrough."

Perhaps it's time for Mayo to be unleashed this season.