Glenn Middleton admits he was 'shocked' at the way his Norwich City exit was handled.

The 18-year-old was told he was surplus to requirements by the Canaries in January prompting boyhood club Rangers to swoop.

Middleton was left in tears when he was told by the Norwich hierarchy that he didn't have a future at Carrow Road but believes the experience has only made him more determined to prove his critics wrong in Scotland.

'I was the most shocked you could ever be in a situation when Norwich told me I could go,' he told the Daily Record. 'Not in an arrogant way at all. Just by how it came about. But now I wouldn't have it any other way.

'Because I've learnt that's how brutal football can be. It's set me up for the future and hopefully something like that never happens again.

'I was told certain things by Norwich. Then I was drawn into a meeting and told I wasn't their cup of tea any more.

'Things had changed at the club. They didn't fancy me and that's football. At the time I was confused, as other people were.

'Other boys at the club couldn't really understand what was going on.

'I thought I was going into that meeting for a general chat. But it didn't work out the way I'd hoped.

'After the meeting I went home and cried a lot. I'm not ashamed to admit it.

'It was a horrible two or three months for me that I wouldn't wish on anyone. But I'm grateful for it happening now.

'Because it'll stand me in good stead for my career.'

MORE: No regrets over Rangers moveMiddleton, who is currently with Scotland Under-21s at the Toulon Tournament, believes his departure is City's loss.

'The way it happened was weird,' added Middleton, who was brought to Ibrox by then manager and former Norwich coach Graeme Murty. 'It wasn't down to me. Other things back that up.

'I wasn't playing then I was a forward playing at left-back.

'They brought in a boy from university football in Ireland and started playing him on the wing ahead of me.

'That's just a few examples of how it wasn't down to me. It's a big lesson. I feel sorry for Norwich in terms of what they're missing now.

'I know how hard I've been working since then. It's given me the drive to move forward in my career.

'When it happened I hit a brick wall. I'd never experienced anything like it before.

'But it's given me a new lease of life to work in the gym even harder, practise my shooting even more. I'm happy for it now.

'To get that experience young, albeit a negative one, will help me in the future. I've learnt that things aren't straightforward.

'I know now I'm not going to reach the top just by turning up for training every day. Even when you're doing well, you can still get a kick up the backside.

'No matter how well you think you're doing, someone's opinion is going to be different. But also someone else's will be different to theirs.

'That's where I was lucky that the people at Rangers took a different view.

'It's been a hectic, crazy six months – but enjoyable at the same time. I couldn't ask for much more, playing for the team I support.

'And hopefully I'm going to get opportunities at Rangers if I keep showing what I'm capable of doing.'