Thompson’s twin target in the pursuit of a giantkilling
RAITH ROVERS midfielder Jordan Thompson will aim to reinforce his qualities to Rangers manager Mark Warburton this afternoon, while simultaneously trying to create a shock William Hill Scottish Cup victory over Hearts.
While Warburton and his assistant David Weir might not attend the fourth-round tie in person, the 20-year-old is aware that live television coverage offers an opportunity for him to showcase his talent to a wider audience.
Earlier this month, Thompson agreed a contract extension with Rangers until the summer of 2018 and also prolonged his loan with Gary Locke’s Rovers until the end of the season.
And, with Premiership opposition in town in the form of Hearts today, the Belfast-born youngster is keen to make an impression.
‘Playing Hearts is a great chance for me,’ said Thompson, who made his Rangers debut as a substitute in the November 2015 victory over Alloa.
‘I was talking to the gaffer at Raith about how big a game it is and Davie Weir had said the same to me.
‘I’m not sure if Davie or the gaffer are coming to watch the Hearts game but it’s on TV anyway. They will probably catch a bit of it and it’s a good chance for me to show what I can do.
‘It will be tough and results haven’t really gone for us recently but we want to go out there, prove a point and hopefully get a result. ‘The people at Rangers keep in touch and always ask how I am doing.
‘Davie knows the gaffer well and he will also give me the odd call just to chat over things.
‘Rangers are in constant contact, so it’s good.’ Thompson made eight appearances during a temporary stint with Airdrie at the end of last season but admits that his time with Rovers has been an eye-opener, especially compared to the sterile environment of Scottish Development League football.
‘Coming to Raith has been brilliant because you see a different side to the game,’ added the Northern Ireland Under-21 internationalist.
‘We are fighting for points and it’s a step up from 20s matches because there is so much at stake for the club.
‘You learn a lot more about the work you need to do off the ball at this level and you realise how important it is to track runners.
‘In 20s games for Rangers, you have a lot of the ball and are always in possession.
‘Here it’s a lot different. There are times when you need to get behind the ball and really concentrate.
‘Even in training, the older boys will get on to you if you don’t track your man. But that’s been good for me.’
Thompson is enjoying his footballing education in the fiercely competitive Championship but has his sights set on forcing his way into Rangers first-team plans when he returns at the start of next season.
He added: ‘The new contract at Rangers is all sorted now and I am absolutely delighted.
‘We had been talking and it was a case of getting things done.
“I now have the rest of this season and next season, too. I am really pleased.
‘It’s all down to me now. I just need to do well at Raith and keep working hard.
‘I’ll then go back to Rangers for pre-season and hopefully get some more game-time.’
After Hearts recruited veteran defender Aaron Hughes earlier this month, Thompson is relishing the prospect of pitting his wits against the Northern Ireland football legend.
At 37 years of age, Hughes has not lost his motivation for the game and is still keen to add to his 103 caps.
‘I really hope he plays,’ stated Thompson. ‘He has been in the Northern Ireland team for a long time and he’s an idol for every young footballer in the country.
‘Aaron has been a top professional for a long time. He’s 37, while I am only 20, and it would be great to play against him and learn from him.
‘It’s the same at Raith, with guys like Rudi Skacel. You can only learn from them.
‘Hearts have a lot of top pros in midfield and it will be good to go up against them in the Scottish Cup.’
Thompson has already watched his parent club fall to a 2-0 league defeat to Hearts this season but is quietly confident Rovers can defy the odds this afternoon.
‘They are a strong side and they are up there challenging in the league,’ he added.
‘It will be a tough game but we need to be positive and look to get a result.
‘The pressure is all on Hearts. They need to win the game but there isn’t any expectation on us really.
‘We will be confident and we will go and play our own game. There is going to be a big crowd and these are the games you want to be involved in.’
Rangers are in constant contact to ask how I’m doing