HEWASTIPPED TOBETHENEXT STEVIE G... BUT ROSSITER CAN BE NEW KEANO
JORDAN’SLIVERPOOLMENTORBEALETIPSFIT-AGAIN STARTOFULFILEARLYPOTENTIALANDBE IBROXSTAR
HE is a Red born and bred, a Kop kid who lived the dream and 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 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 fullbacks 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 12 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 he has.”
Rangers knew 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 j ustify 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.
“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 chang- ing 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 an old head on his shoulders,” 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. Remember, he is just 20 and has come off a difficult year.
“He has his career in front of him and I expect him to 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 has an unbeliev- able 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.
“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 longterm injury but he looks fit and healthy now and he looks like he has gone through a bit of a growth spurt, which he 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.”