Jordan Rossiter was compared to Steven Gerrard at Liverpool...

[ian1964 10,447]

...but he can make a name for himself at Rangers.

 

By Christopher Jack Senior Sports Writer

 

HE *was mentioned in the same breath as Liverpool legends. It is at Rangers where Jordan Rossiter has to make a name for himself.

 

Having set out on the road to Anfield aged just six, the Scouser’s career seemed written in the stars. Rossiter’s journey has taken a different path, though, and now he is looking to stride forward after taking a step back last season.

 

The midfielder was tipped for the very top as he emerged through the Liverpool ranks and was branded the next Steven Gerrard. His heroes enthused about his potential and his promise.

 

A move to Rangers last summer offered Rossiter a change of surroundings but, so far, it hasn’t opened new doors as he was forced to spend several months watching the action unfold from the stands.

 

This term, he has three competitive outings and a handful of bounce games under his belt. Having put a dark season behind him, he can now see the light.

 

And Rossiter's former Reds coach Michael Beale believes he can finally showcase his talents and live up to the billing at Ibrox this term.

 

“If he had chosen to stay at Liverpool he would be part of the first team squad, there is no doubt about that,” Beale told SportTimes. “He was offered a long contract but he took the chance to go.

 

“Inevitably, any young player central midfield player that comes through the Academy gets that unfair comparison [with Gerrard] but I think Jordan will go on to have an excellent career in his own way.

 

“He is much more like a Roy Keane type player, for me, than a Steven Gerrard. He is more someone that controls the middle of the pitch, coaxes and supports players around him and he is very strong in how he puts himself across in the game in terms of his tackling, his reading of the game, his positioning and his passing.

 

“He is a player that really helps the attacking players go and do their bit and if the full-backs get forward he is very good in his positioning in terms of closing the space. He is an excellent young player, one of England’s best young players, for sure.

 

“He has been a bit of a forgotten man in the last twelve months but seeing him back now and looking at the fans’ comments, they see him as a potential starter for Rangers and that shows the promise that he has.”

 

Rangers knew that they were buying potential when they agreed a deal to bring Rossiter to Glasgow but he has so far been unable to fulfil his undoubted ability.

 

Beale saw the midfielder progress through the ranks in his roles as a youth coach and then Under-21 and Under-23 boss in the famous Liverpool Academy system.

 

Rossiter’s call to leave left his mentors naturally disappointed. It may have taken longer than expected, but he is now in a position to justify that decision.

 

“He had a lot of faith in himself and I remember speaking to him at the time along with the other staff and we wished him well,” Beale said.

 

“It was with a sense of regret but we are teaching young boys to grow up and make independent decisions and do what is best for them.

 

“He felt Rangers was an exciting opportunity for him to go and play. You can never look back and I think the time out of playing will enthuse him even more to do even better this season. “Without putting any pressure on him, I expect him to do very well this season and come out of it with a lot of credit.”

 

Rossiter would make just six appearances for Mark Warburton’s side last term before he swapped the first team changing room for the Auchenhowie gym.

 

After completing 90 minutes against Dunfermline last week, the 20-year-old admitted that his recovery period had made him mentally stronger for the challenges that lie ahead.

 

He will be given time to get fully up to speed by Pedro Caixinha this season and Beale believes his attitude and love of the game will be invaluable assets.

 

“He is a leader, he is a young boy that has got old shoulders on his head and he leads on the pitch,” Beale said.

 

“To see the team maybe not doing as well as they wanted last season and knowing that he couldn’t help them due to his injuries, that would have troubled Jordan a lot in the last year.

 

“The important thing is that he is back playing now and I expect him to do really well as the season progresses and be a big part of that Rangers team.

 

“There were a lot of people at Liverpool that thought he would go on and do well. He scored on his debut and that was a fairy tale for him.

 

“I first coached Jordan at 15, 16 and the first thing that really impressed me was his mentality and personality, which was really infectious. “He drives the team on, he is your mini-coach on the pitch and I am sure he will grow into that.

 

“You have to remember that he is just 20 and has come off a difficult year. He has his career in front of him and I expect him to go on and be an excellent player for Rangers.

 

“When you consider how much they had to pay to bring him to the club, it will end up being an outstanding bit of business for Rangers.”

 

Having seemingly overcome his physical ailments, Rossiter now has a different barrier in his way as he attempts to become an integral part of Caixinha’s blueprint this term.

The arrivals of Ryan Jack, Graham Dorrans and Carlos Pena this summer mean there is plenty of competition for a place in the Gers midfield.

 

Rossiter may not be a new signing at Ibrox but his rejuvenation could be a welcome boost for Rangers in the coming months.

 

“It will take time for him to build-up but he is a boy that has got an unbelievable personality and work ethic and everyone that works with him sees that,” Beale said.

“He will naturally hit the ground running and it is important that he gets a chance to play in the team.

 

“He is obviously younger than Ryan Jack, but I actually think he is a better player than Ryan. That is not that I don’t like Ryan as a player, but I just think Jordan has more to offer. “You have to remember that he was part of the Liverpool first team squad when he chose to leave and go to Rangers.

 

“He has been held up by a long-term injury but he looks fit and healthy now and he looks like he has gone through a bit of a growth spurt, which he always needed.

 

“The fans will love him because he is all action, he gives 100 per cent, he doesn’t shy out of any tackles, he is a good passer of the ball and he allows the attacking players to go and play and create and score goals.”

 

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/15474339.Jordan_Rossiter_was_compared_to_Steven_Gerrard_at_Liverpool_but_he_can_make_a_name_for_himself_at_Rangers/

[ian1964 10,447]

Rangers midfielder Jordan Rossiter can establish himself for England once again.

 

JORDAN ROSSITER has been tipped to establish himself at Rangers and earn a recall to the England international setup after overcoming his Ibrox injury hell.

 

The midfielder saw his first season in Light Blue come to a premature end last term as he was ruled out of action for several months.

 

But he has made a handful of appearances for Pedro Caixinha’s side in recent weeks and taken steps forward on the road to recovery.

 

Rossiter has been capped at four youth levels for the Three Lions but missed out on being part of the Under-20 squad that won the World Cup in South Korea or Aidy Boothroyd’s Under-21s as they reached the last four of the European Championships this summer.

 

But his former Anfield mentor Michael Beale believes the 20-year-old can shine on the international stage once again if he can make his mark at Ibrox.

 

He told SportTimes: “If he gets in the Rangers first team and plays how I know he can, he will be part of the England Under-20 setup, for sure.

 

“I think Jordan would certainly have travelled to the Under-20 World Cup and in previous years he has been captain of that age group.

 

“He is a player that is highly thought of in England and he has joined a fantastic club, a really huge club and I think that was what was in his mind.

 

“He has joined a great club at an exciting time and he felt he could have a big impact. It has not worked out in the short-term but in the long-term I fully expect it to and if he can get into the Rangers team and have a good season there will be no shortage of people in England who are looking at his progress and keeping tabs with him.

 

“He is a valuable asset to Rangers and he still has a very bright future, as bright as any of the players that were in that England Under-20 World Cup team.”

 

Beale saw Rossiter emerge through the Reds ranks and make his first team bow as a 17-year-old when he scored in a League Cup clash with Middlesbrough.

 

The Scouser turned down a new deal at Anfield before joining the Gers last summer as he looked to take the next step in his career.

 

And Beale, who spent nine years at Chelsea before making the move to Liverpool, believes Rossiter can realise his potential in Light Blue.

 

He said: “I travel up and down the country and people always ask me about Jordan and how he is getting on. He is a boy that is quite shy off the field and he likes to do his expressing on it.

 

“If a young boy is doing well for Rangers, like Pat Roberts did for Celtic last year, then people do sit up and notice because we do follow our young players wherever they go.“There have been a number of young English players go across to England and Germany this summer and people are keeping tabs on them.

 

“For Jordan, he only knew Liverpool so there was always going to be a settling in period in Glasgow. That is what the last few months will have enabled him to do. “He wasn’t able to play so it would have been difficult for him to settle and feel part of things but now you can see the excitement.

 

“I watched his interview the other day and it raised a smile on my face. Any Rangers fans watching that will know they have got a boy that just loves playing football.

 

“I am really pleased he has come out of the injury and can express himself. I am keen to keep watching him and time will tell if he can fulfil his potential but I have every faith in him.”

[MacK1950 2,249]

An asset to us in various ways mainly hopefully as a long term footballer but if not a more than saleable talent.

[der Berliner 3,284]

It was regarded as a major coup when we got him, with essentially all the above being said as well. Watched him in a u20s EC/WC or the like that same summer and he was a stand-out in that team. Too bad that he carried that injury and I have no doubts that he would have helped us last season, despite his age. Here's hoping that he can forge a good partnership in midfield alongside the likes of Dorrans and/or Jack.

Edited August 16, 2017 by der Berliner

[Davie P 4]

It was regarded as a major coup when we got him, with essentially all the above being said as well. Watched him in a u20s EC/WC or the like that same summer and he was a stand-out in that team. Too bad that he carried that injury and I have no doubts that he would have helped us last season, despite his age. Here's hoping that he can forge a good partnership in midfield alongside the likes of Dorrans and/or Jack.

 

I like Rossiter and think he is a very decent player when fit. At this point in time though, I would start Jack before him. Jack has been quietly efficient since joining us and I think that we are a better team with him as the holding midfielder. If the red card is not rescinded, then it is up to Rossiter to seize the opportunity and attempt to retain his place in the team when Jack's suspension is over.

 

Imo, the only way that he could play with Jack would be in a 4-2-3-1. I also think that the 4-4-2 does not allow any room for Pena, hence the continued absence. In that formation, he can only realy play the Miller #10 role, which could also be filled by Niko.

[Bluedell 5,355]

Imo, the only way that he could play with Jack would be in a 4-2-3-1. I also think that the 4-4-2 does not allow any room for Pena, hence the continued absence. In that formation, he can only realy play the Miller #10 role, which could also be filled by Niko.

Could/would Pena not play the Dorrans role?

[Davie P 4]

Could/would Pena not play the Dorrans role?

 

He could, but I would imagine that this would only occur if Dorrans was injured or lost form. Would you drop Dorrans for Pena?

[der Berliner 3,284]

IMHO, Jack and Rossiter will be our prime DMs. Dorrans adds good Scottish steel to our midfield too, but sure is more attack-minded. from what I read, Pena is more like Dorrans, i.e. a box-to-box attacking central midfielder. Rossiter likes to have a shot from distance, so I wouldn't actually mind to have a back 3 with Rossiter and Jack in front of them, and an attacking midfield of e.g. Dorrans, Pena and Candeias, plus 2 strikers (chose two out of Herrera, Morelos, Miller and Windass). Not least at home and against "lesser" opposition, or teams who do not carry that much of an attacking threat. So that Rossiter at times can step forward into the midfield too and provide threat from a distance, which we badly lacked last season.

[Bluedell 5,355]

He could, but I would imagine that this would only occur if Dorrans was injured or lost form. Would you drop Dorrans for Pena?

 

Certainly not at the moment.

[boabie 230]

From the official site --

 

https://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/its-unbelievable-to-be-back/