18-year-old Spurs star urged to return to Rangers over limited Tottenham role

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Rangers defender Alan Hutton believes teenage winger Mikey Moore would benefit far more from another season at Rangers than remaining at Tottenham and fighting for limited first-team opportunities under new head coach Roberto De Zerbi.

Moore enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Rangers during the 2025-26 campaign, where he quickly became one of the club’s brightest young performers. The 18-year-old adapted well to Scottish football and established himself as an important member of the first-team squad. Across all competitions, he made 47 appearances, scoring seven goals while also contributing four assists. Those performances earned him widespread praise from supporters, teammates and football pundits alike.

His impact throughout the season was recognised with two major individual honours. Moore was named Rangers Men’s Young Player of the Year and also collected the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award, highlighting just how influential he had become despite his young age.

Following the conclusion of his successful loan spell, attention has now turned to what comes next in his career. Tottenham have appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager, creating fresh optimism for many young players hoping to establish themselves in North London. However, despite the arrival of a new coach, there is still fierce competition for places in Tottenham’s attacking department, leading many to question whether Moore would receive enough playing time to continue his development.

Alan Hutton believes the answer is clear. Speaking about the young winger, the former defender explained that another season at Rangers would provide Moore with regular football, something he considers essential at this stage of the player’s career.

According to Hutton, Moore has enormous potential but is still developing physically, mentally and tactically. While the youngster has already demonstrated his ability, Hutton believes consistency only comes through playing week after week rather than spending long periods on the substitutes’ bench.

He pointed out that when Moore first arrived at Rangers there was huge excitement surrounding the loan signing. Expectations among supporters were extremely high because of the teenager’s reputation within Tottenham’s academy and his performances for England’s youth teams. Although Moore produced an impressive campaign, Hutton believes there is still another level that the winger can reach as he continues to mature.

The former Scotland international suggested that the biggest question is not whether Moore possesses enough talent but whether he is currently ready to perform consistently every single week in one of Europe’s strongest leagues. Hutton admitted he is not completely convinced that throwing the teenager straight into Tottenham’s first-team plans would be the best decision.

Instead, he argued that another year in Glasgow would allow Moore to continue developing without the intense pressure of fighting for limited opportunities at Tottenham. Rangers would almost certainly provide him with regular starts, giving him another full season of senior football before returning to England better prepared for the demands of Premier League competition.

Hutton also believes Moore must think carefully about what he wants from the next stage of his career. While remaining at Tottenham would naturally appeal to any academy graduate hoping to establish himself at his boyhood club, limited appearances may not be enough to continue the progress he has made over the past twelve months.

Playing around twenty matches during an entire Premier League season could still represent valuable experience, but Hutton questioned whether that would ultimately benefit Moore more than playing forty or fifty games as an important member of Rangers’ first team.

His comments have sparked debate among supporters of both clubs. Rangers fans would undoubtedly welcome Moore back after the impact he made during his previous spell at Ibrox. His pace, confidence on the ball and willingness to attack defenders made him one of the team’s most exciting players, while his maturity impressed many despite his young age.

Tottenham supporters, meanwhile, recognise Moore as one of the club’s most promising academy graduates. Many would like to see him given opportunities under De Zerbi, believing his technical ability fits the style of football the Italian coach has often encouraged throughout his managerial career.

However, the reality facing Moore is that Tottenham’s squad is becoming increasingly competitive.

The club has entered a new era under De Zerbi and significant investment has already strengthened several areas of the squad. Tottenham have reportedly focused heavily on improving both their defence and midfield while continuing to build a team capable of competing consistently near the top of the Premier League.

New arrivals increase competition throughout the squad, and attacking positions are expected to be among the most difficult areas for young players to break into.

Established internationals, experienced Premier League performers and expensive signings are all expected to compete for starting places. Under those circumstances, Moore could find himself waiting patiently for opportunities instead of playing regularly every week.

That is why many observers believe another loan would represent a sensible compromise.

Rather than rushing his integration into Tottenham’s first team, another successful spell elsewhere would allow Moore to continue developing before returning with even greater experience and confidence.

Loan moves have become an increasingly important part of player development across modern football.

Many of today’s biggest stars spent time away from their parent clubs before eventually becoming established first-team players. Regular competitive football often proves more valuable than occasional substitute appearances, particularly for teenagers making the transition from academy football to senior level.

Moore’s first spell at Rangers demonstrated exactly how beneficial the right loan move can be.

Instead of remaining in youth football, he experienced the demands of playing in front of large crowds, competing for trophies and handling the expectation that comes with representing one of Scotland’s biggest clubs.

Those experiences cannot easily be replicated in academy competitions.

Every match carried pressure.

Every performance mattered.

Every mistake became a learning opportunity.

That environment helped accelerate his development and allowed him to mature as both a footballer and an individual.

Another season under similar circumstances could further prepare him for the challenges awaiting him in the Premier League.

Rangers themselves would also benefit enormously from bringing Moore back.

The club continues rebuilding under its own ambitions, and adding a player already familiar with the squad, supporters and style of football would provide immediate quality without a lengthy adjustment period.

His previous success means he would likely settle quickly and become an important attacking option once again.

For Tottenham, another loan would also allow the club to monitor Moore’s progress without placing unnecessary pressure on a teenager still developing his game.

If he continues improving, he could return to North London as a more complete player capable of competing for a regular place.

Hutton remains convinced that patience will ultimately benefit everyone involved.

Rather than rushing Moore into a highly competitive Tottenham squad, another season of consistent football could provide the ideal platform for the next stage of his career.

The former defender stressed that the teenager possesses all the qualities needed to succeed at the highest level. His technical ability, confidence, creativity and willingness to attack defenders make him one of the brightest young talents to emerge from Tottenham’s academy in recent years.

What he needs now, according to Hutton, is experience.

Playing regularly.

Learning from difficult moments.

Developing consistency.

Building confidence.

Those qualities cannot simply be taught during training sessions; they come through competitive matches played week after week.

As Tottenham prepare for a new era under Roberto De Zerbi, difficult decisions will need to be made regarding several young players.

Mikey Moore’s future is likely to be one of the most closely watched.

Whether Tottenham decide to keep him within the first-team squad or allow him another season away on loan, the decision will play an important role in shaping the next chapter of one of English football’s most exciting young prospects.

For now, Hutton believes the answer is straightforward. Another year at Rangers would give Moore the opportunity to continue growing, playing regularly and returning to Tottenham as an even stronger player, ready to compete for a permanent place in the first team.