Jones eager to stay and prove worth

from Rangers may have been premature. A number of English Championship clubs — including Queens Park Rangers, Stoke City, Middlesbrough and Blackburn — have been linked with potential moves for the 25-year-old. While he admitted he cannot predict what will happen in the final week of the window, Jones is clear that his firm preference is to remain at Ibrox. ‘I think, like a lot of our players, there are a lot of links with clubs, there is a lot of stuff written about us, and you have to try and let it go over your head,’ said Jones. ‘Rangers is the club we play for, Rangers is, 100 per cent, the club that I want to play for. I got my chance today and on Thursday night, and I feel like I have done myself justice. ‘It is obvious to everyone where I want to be. It is obvious I want to be here and get a run of games. ‘You can’t sit around moping when the team performs as it does. You just have to keep yourself ready and, when you do get the chance, you have to take it because you don’t know how long it will be until you get the next one.’ Asked if there was a time when he feared things wouldn’t change and he would have to leave, Jones added: ‘Probably, yeah, if I am being honest. ‘Some weeks it is hard to see if you are ever going to get a chance again and if you can keep going. ‘You have got to be mentally strong and I feel that I am a lot better at things like that now — being mentally strong and not going in moods and sulking around the place. ‘You are at a massive club and you have got to be grateful for the opportunity when you do get it. And when you do, you have got to make the most of it.’ Young left-back Calvin Bassey made his first Rangers start as he was introduced alongside Jones, with Gerrard praising their contributions to a win that strengthened his side’s position at the Premiership summit. James Tavernier converted two first-half penalties — both awarded for handball — either side of Jones’ finish. Cedric Itten then came off the bench to claim his first two Rangers goals before a George Edmundson own goal denied Allan McGregor a clean sheet. ‘I’m pleased for Cedric as he’s come close on a couple of occasions,’ said Gerrard. ‘Attacking players love scoring goals, so that will hopefully do his confidence the world of good. ‘Goals are coming from different areas. Jordan Jones came in and had great cameo on Thursday and I gave him an opportunity today and he took it and did ever so well. ‘That’s the Jordan Jones I want to see and I won’t accept anything less than that because those are his attributes and, if he brings that to the table, he’s going to be a big help to us.’