Mark showed faith in me and I owe him a lot
PLUCKED from obscurity by none other than Brendan Rodgers, Jordan Rossiter believes he has found the ideal manager in Mark Warburton to provide the polish that will see his star recommence its ascent.
Rossiter first came to prominence at Liverpool under Rodgers when he was handed a first-team debut at 17 and scored an opportunistic goal from 30 yards in a League Cup victory over Middlesbrough at Anfield.
It was enough to ringfence the young midfielder’s place in the senior squad and, in the early stages of last season, his progress continued with a league debut against Arsenal and a start against Bordeaux in the Europa League.
The breakthrough at the club he had been involved with since childhood seemed tantalisingly close but football, of course, never loses the knack of whisking the rug from under you when everything looks like it’s coming up trumps.
Rodgers was sacked in October and Rossiter, within weeks, returned from international duty with England Under-19s with a hamstring problem that would go on to plague him for an extended period just as Jurgen Klopp was getting his feet under the table.
Fast forward to now and Rossiter, thanks in part to a contract impasse at Liverpool, has pitched up at Rangers with Rodgers, his mentor, now filling the role of mortal enemy as head coach across the city of Glasgow at Celtic.
It is a scenario Rossiter could never have predicted but it appears the parting of the ways from his local club is not something he reflects upon with regret.
Hugely influenced by Rodgers, he expects to find himself at the heart of a fascinating contest between the Old Firm this season and admits he was completely won over by the philosophy and approach of Warburton, another footballing stylist, when he first travelled to Auchenhowie for a breakfast meeting with the management team back in May.
‘I think the manager can bring me on so much with the way he likes to play and the fact that he is always speaking with you and helping you out, which I don’t think you would necessarily get with a big team down south because it is all about winning,’ said the 19-year-old.
‘The gaffer really wants to improve you.
‘I have seen Rangers’ philosophy at training. It’s a passing team and that is what my game is — getting on the ball and keeping it ticking over. It’s a team that plays the right way and that’s what really sold it for me.
‘Brendan managed in the Premier League and he is a good coach with a good way of playing but we have a good way of playing, as well. It is going to be a good battle. It will be interesting.
‘Brendan was a big influence on my career and development.
‘It was great to work under him at Liverpool but I’m at Rangers now, working for an exceptionally good manager. Of course, it is funny how football works out and now Brendan is working across the city from where I’m working. I couldn’t have predicted that a few months ago.
‘I owe a lot to Brendan because he brought me into the team and gave me a chance, but I owe a lot to the gaffer here as well because he showed faith in bringing me.
‘Celtic are Rangers’ main rivals and you want to beat them.’
Of course, while first-team opportunities dried up for Rossiter at Anfield, he has hardly been standing still.
He only got round to making his Ibrox debut as a substitute in Monday evening’s 3-0 Betfred Cup victory over Stranraer as a result of leading his country in the European Under-19 Championship in Germany, an adventure which ended with defeat to an Italy side coached by former Ranger Paolo Vanoli, no less, at the semi-final stage.
Landing an England captain, no matter the age group, is quite a coup for a Scottish club in these straitened times. Although his arrival has been overshadowed by the signings of fellow midfielders Joey Barton and Niko Kranjcar, Rossiter’s transfer is, arguably, the most interesting of them all.
Frank McParland, Rangers’ head of recruitment, sees him as a potential Champions League player. There has been a lot of faith, not to mention a fair degree of finance, invested in him.
‘He gets on the ball and doesn’t shy away,’ said Warburton. ‘He has a real mean streak to him.
‘He can play four or eight. I don’t see him as a 10 but he’ll do a good job for us.’
Rossiter reaped the benefit of advice from the likes of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher at Liverpool and has already been taken under the wing of fellow Scouser Barton at Rangers.
He admits he will soak up all the counsel he receives from the senior players at Ibrox, but gives the impression that his greatest learning comes from studying others and making his mind up for himself.
‘When I was coming through (at Liverpool), the likes of Jamie and Steven were the Scouse lads that you looked up to,’ recalled Rossiter. ‘They put their arm around you and, when they saw you out on the pitch doing your thing, that’s when they helped you out.
‘I remember Jamie was saying to always be yourself and don’t be scared to show your personality. Get on the ball and get your tackles in. That is what I want to do.
‘Joey has been good to me since I came up here. The likes of Joey and Niko have played at the top level but I can learn from the likes of Andy Halliday and Kenny Miller, as well.
‘They are always there for advice but it is through watching top pros on and off the training field, how they do things, that you learn the most.’
It is tempting to think that Rossiter, with a little more patience, might have attracted a Premier League club in England. He is clear, though, that he had set his heart on joining Rangers from the moment he first arrived in Glasgow.
‘Liverpool is a big club but Rangers is just as big in the world,’ he stated.
‘Rangers are a massive club that has always been known for winning trophies and challenging at the top. We have an obligation to get back there.
‘I could have stayed in England and been comfortable staying at home, but I want to come and test myself at a massive club.’
Next year’s Under-20 World Cup is high on his agenda, but Scottish football does have something of an image problem south of the border.
‘I want to be part of the Under-20 World Cup next summer,’ said Rossiter. ‘It’s in South Korea and it is going to be a brilliant tournament.
‘I wouldn’t say I’m off the radar. I am playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
‘People might not see it like that but it’s up to me to prove them wrong.’
“Rangers play the right way and that’s what sold it for me”