BLUE BLOOD
Everton-mad Rossiter can reach big time at Ibrox, insists McParland
If Jordan fulfils his potential, he can be a top, top player for Rangers
FRANK McPARLAND was never likely to forget the sparky little kid who would turn up at Liverpool defiantly wearing an Everton shirt under his kit.
Jordan Rossiter marked himself out as one to watch from the very start. He always stood his ground when red-hued quips were fired in his direction. On the field, he was equally dogged. Never a bad sign.
When McParland then left his role as academy director at Anfield in 2013, he continued to take a keen interest in the progress of this promising midfielder who had made such a positive impression.
That in-depth knowledge — and long-standing relationship of trust with the Rossiter family — has now proven instrumental in luring him to Rangers.
In doing so, it has also delivered a personal coup for McParland in his role as head of recruitment. The argument that he might prove to be the most important man at Ibrox this summer is gaining credence.
Brought north by Mark Warburton last November, McParland is also playing a key part in the on-going move to secure Joey Barton. He was sporting director at Burnley when Barton joined at the start of the season, with the controversial midfielder going on to become Player of the Year for the English Championship winners.
Rossiter, though, is the first over the line this month, adding to the earlier pre-contract arrangements for Accrington Stanley duo Josh Windass and Matt Crooks.
McParland doesn’t attempt to downplay his delight at the deal, which will see a cut-price compensation fee in the region of £250,000 paid to Liverpool.
The 19-year-old will formally join up with Rangers this summer on a four-year contact. McParland firmly believes they are acquiring a player with genuine Champions League potential.
‘Jordan is desperate to play and get started for Rangers,’ McParland told Sportsmail. ‘He knows the manager and David Weir very well now and is looking forward to it so much.
‘I think the two of them will have a right go in getting him to the top level because if Jordan fulfils his potential, he can be a top, top player for Rangers.
‘What do I mean by that? I think he can be a Champions League player. I really do. Hopefully, it is going to be with Rangers.
‘That would be great for us. I love local players. But in two or three years’ time, Jordan will be like one.
‘If he is at the top of his game, we need to keep those players playing for us. As the club develops again, and gets back to where it belongs, people are not going to want to leave Rangers. That’s the mentality we need.’
Sidelined by a hamstring injury suffered in a Europa League appearance against Sion, the England Under-19 international had little chance to impress Jurgen Klopp following the German’s arrival as manager last October.
Contract talks then stuttered on without any conclusion, opening the door for McParland to move.
‘Brendan Rodgers gave him his debut and was a massive fan,’ said McParland. ‘I presume the new manager hasn’t seen that much of him because he has been injured. That is a shame for Liverpool but it is great for us because it meant we could take advantage.
‘Obviously, I’ve got a personal relationship with his family and his representative. As soon as we knew he wasn’t going to sign at Liverpool, we contacted the club to say we were going to speak to him.
‘Liverpool have been absolutely brilliant, as you would expect them to be. Everything has gone through flawlessly.
‘They just couldn’t find the solution to sign him but he is really well thought of at that club and he has left shaking everyone’s hand.’
McParland grins when he recalls his earliest memories of Rossiter, who had been with Liverpool since he was six years old.
‘I’ve known Jordan since he was very, very young,’ he added. ‘He used to come in with his Everton shirt under his Liverpool training kit. He is a mad Evertonian. His dad Frank is the same.
‘I used to always have a laugh with them about how bad Everton were and stuff, but the kid stuck to his guns. He is still an Evertonian, still goes to watch them. I really like that in someone.
‘Jordan is a fantastic individual with really good values. He has a heart as big as you like.
‘He is a typical Andy Hallidaytype player who will never give up. In the 93rd minute, he will still be chasing people down. He is a terrific young footballer and I think we are lucky to have him.
‘I remember when he was 15 and playing in the Under-16s every week. Then Liverpool starting having Under-18 games live on club TV and everyone wanted to play in them. Kids wanted to be sub in the Under-18s because they were on TV.
‘We did that a couple of times with Jordan then he came to see me. He said: “Frank, I don’t want to be sub for anyone, I’d much rather play”. He didn’t care about the telly.
‘He still has a great attitude. I went to pick him up from his hotel the other day and the kid was in the gym at 7am.’
Rossiter is the third English player Rangers have added this summer. Barton would make it four.
Last summer, when Warburton and Weir were effectively doing recruitment on their own, a majority of the additions also came from south of the border. ‘Are we going to sign seven players from abroad? No, we’re not,’ insisted McParland. ‘We might sign one or two.
‘Predominately, we are going to sign British players. The manager is massive on players fitting in. Most of the stuff we do is going to be safe as houses.
‘We are not a club that is going to spend £10million on a player. So we need to know what can be proven as much as possible.
‘Can they play in the really distinctive way we do, with 4-3-3 and people rotating? Are they fit enough? Can they handle the ball?
‘Above all, is he a good lad, someone who won’t kill the dressing room? The manager likes a tight squad, but with as much quality as possible.
‘I like local players. We look on our own back door. Have we got one in the academy who is ready? Is there one in Scotland we think we can do? Is there one down south?
‘I’m not averse to using the Scottish market at all. There are an awful lot of good Scottish players down south. The ideal is to take a Rangers supporter. People might scoff at that, but it’s the truth. They have the affinity with what we are trying to do.’