  We derive the Leading Order DGLAP evolution of gluon distribution function in
the target light cone gauge starting from its standard operator definition. The
derivation is performed using the background field formalism employed in the
Color Glass Condensate effective theory of small $x$ QCD. We adopt
Mandelstam-Leibbrandt prescription to regulate in an unambiguous way the
spurious singularity appearing in the light-cone gauge Feynman propagator. UV
divergences are regulated via conventional dimensional regularization. The
methods introduced in this paper represent the first steps in the construction
of a unified framework for QCD evolution, which could address collinear physics
as well as small $x$ physics and gluon saturation.
