GLENN MIDDLETON is closing in on a return to St Johnstone after the winger spent the second half of last season on loan at McDiarmid Park.

The 21-year-old often clambered off the bench for Callum Davidson last term and played an important role as the Perth club sealed an historic cup double - including a memorable match-winning free-kick against St Mirren in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.

Middleton made 14 appearances in total, scoring three times and providing one assist, and that form appears to have convinced Davidson to re-sign the winger on loan.

It is understood that the deal has been in the pipeline for several weeks and is now close to being finalised after Rangers agreed to send the Scotland under-21 internationalist out on loan.

Sunday's Premiership fixture against Motherwell may come slightly too soon for Middleton but the wide player could have completed his move in time for Thurday's Europa League second-leg qualifier with Galatasaray.