Rangers will be keeping one eye on Millwall player situation - could it bite them? | OneFootball

Zak Lovelace is finally getting his break in the Millwall side 18 months after rejoining the club from Rangers

It's often surprising to remember that Zak Lovelace is still only 20 years old, as it's been nearly five years since he made his Millwall debut against Coventry City.

The young wideman became the Lions' second-youngest-ever player when he came off the bench in that 1-0 win against the Sky Blues; his first of five cameo bench appearances in the second tier that season.

Whenever someone breaks into the first team fold at just 15 years of age, there's bound to be interest, and for Lovelace, that was no different. He's back at the Den now, but not before spending a few years on the books at Scottish giants Rangers.

Ultimately, it never worked out for the 20-year-old at Ibrox, but the higher-ups at the club will definitely be watching to see if he develops back at his old club, as many felt he could have with them, especially now he's getting minutes for Alex Neil's side.

Zak Lovelace hit the ground running for Rangers' B team and in the youth setup

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Lovelace's place in the senior side at Millwall was more than deserved, with a glowing record of 21 goals in 19 games at youth level for the Lions. Premier League outfits Brighton and Hove Albion and Leicester City were both interested in him during the summer of 2022, but the then-16-year-old made the switch to Rangers instead.

The wideman initially linked up with the academy and had a brilliant first season with the B-team. He scored 15 and assisted six in 26 Lowland League games and contributed to six goals in as many UEFA Youth League appearances during the 2022/23 campaign.

Those performances earned him international call-ups to the England Under-17s side, which he represented in the Under-17s Euros in the summer of 2023.

The Three Lions came fifth, with Lovelace starring in a squad which also included Ethan Nwaneri, Archie Gray, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Josh Acheampong.

It wasn't to be for Zak Lovelace in the senior squad at Rangers, and he moved back to Millwall in 2025

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Unfortunately, that was about as good as it got for Lovelace with the Scottish giants. The winger began the 2023/24 campaign with the first team, but was withdrawn 41 minutes into his first league start for the club with a hamstring injury, which would keep him out for nearly four months.

Despite being in and around the squad since then, Lovelace struggled to make it off the bench, and in February 2025, Rangers parted ways with him, allowing him to rejoin Millwall.

Unfortunately, injury struck immediately, with the then-19-year-old having to undergo knee surgery upon his arrival, which kept him sidelined until last September.

He made his return to the squad and came off the bench for his first appearance for Millwall since March 2022 in their 3-2 win against Southampton last November. However, that would be the only appearance he made all year, and he wouldn't be seen in a matchday squad again until April.

This was because, while playing for the Under-21s, he picked up yet another hamstring injury in the new year, once again sidelining him.

Zak Lovelace is finally getting a breakthrough in the Millwall squad this season

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Lovelace's appearances on the bench late in the campaign last term proved his fitness, though, and the hope would be that a full, uninterrupted pre-season could help him finally take on at least a bench role in the Millwall side.

As it happens, Alex Neil's side are working through an injury crisis to begin the campaign, but despite his terrible record, Lovelace has been able to remain healthy and has arguably gotten more time on the pitch than he may have done if Millwall were at full strength.

Eight of the 20-year-old's 14 senior appearances for the Lions have come this season. He started EFL Cup ties at Cambridge United and against Newcastle United and has come off the bench in six separate Championship matchups.

He was left out of the derby day draw with West Ham United in the final game before the international break as Alex Neil welcomed Kyrell Lisbie back from injury and handed a debut to Mathis Servais, who had spent the season so far in the treatment room.

But his involvement in the games so far shows that he's a reliable squad option for the Millwall boss, with all the potential to grow and develop if he stays match fit.

Rangers will be keeping a close eye on Zak Lovelace's progression at Millwall

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Lovelace hasn't made much of an impact so far this season. He assisted off the bench in Millwall's 4-0 win over Bolton Wanderers, but outside that, his cameo appearances have been exactly that.

His longest league appearance this season was against Wrexham, at just 27 minutes, and over the course of the six games he's played, he's played just 105 minutes — an average of 17.5 minutes per appearance.

However, those are 103 more minutes than he managed in league action throughout the entirety of last season. It is early days, but if the 20-year-old can remain fit, he's bound to improve in a Millwall shirt.

That was Lovelace's issue at Rangers — he could stay fit enough for his quite clear potential to be realised. If he remains healthy at the Den, he may be able to showcase what they missed out on and make them regret letting him return to Millwall.