LUCAN GOOD
Comeback kid Jordan’s delighted to play his part in win after Gers disappearing act
JORDAN ROSSITER would no doubt prefer to be compared with Lazarus rather than Lord Lucan.
But the Rangers midfielder’s first start of the season against Hamilton is a comeback for a forgotten man who feared it might never happen.
Injury and illness have both played a part in restricting the 21-year-old to the occasional cameo since he signed a fouryear deal from Liverpool.
There was enough from the former England youth skipper against Accies to suggest he’ll be a welcome addition but the Scouser is adamant it’s the start of a sustained run at a side where he’s determined to prove himself as a priceless asset.
Rossiter said: “Yes – 100 per cent I’m out to prove myself. I want to be a Rangers player and I can’t see anywhere bigger than here in my career.
“I’m lucky to still be here after my injury problems. I can’t lie, my development has been hampered by the injuries but I’m still only 21 and I want to be here and improve.
“I don’t think about contracts or anything like that. I just want to get back playing football and whatever happens after that happens. I just want to be happy on the pitch.
“It was great to be back out there as it’s been a tough time for me. I suffered a little niggle at the start of pre-season and I worked hard so it’s great to be back and playing with the lads for 80 minutes.”
Rossiter helped the Light Blues to a first away win in the league since February.
And he admits that dismal record had been part of boss Steven Gerrard’s pre-match address as his side struggled before seeing off Accies by a 4-1 scoreline that was in the flattering category.
Rossiter said: “It’s great to have played a part in an away win as the gaffer reiterated before the game the club had not won away from home for eight months.
“We also haven’t won away this season which simply isn’t good enough.
“We have been flying in the Europa League and our home form has been brilliant but we need to tidy up on our away form and this is a good start.
“It’s difficult coming to a place like Hamilton, it’s a plastic pitch and it’s a bit of a leveller.
“It changes the game and the ball moves about differently. The main thing was the three points and getting that away win but we know our performance could have been a lot better.”
A trip to Hibs on the final day of last season is where Rossiter tracks back to his last starting appearance and believes it could be a few months before he is back up to speed after managing only 13 appearances including just eight starts during two and half years in Glasgow.
He said: “I feel good but I know I still have a long way to go before I get back up to full fitness.
“That’s my first 80 minutes of the season in the bank but I have a long way to go.
“It’s been tough, I played against Hibs in the last game of last season and then I suffered an ankle injury over the summer which was a setback but these things happen.
“You start to think you’ll never get back to being involved with the first team but I’ve now managed to do that.
“We have a lot of injuries at the moment and now I have got my chance and hopefully I did okay against Hamilton.
“I was disappointed at the Hamilton goal as I thought that I could have done better defensively. But the lads bailed me out and in the end the result was brilliant.
“This is where I want to be. I’ve had a difficult pre-season and sruggled with injuries but to be involved again was great.
“I have a long way to go until the end of the season though and I need to get as many appearances as I can. The boss has been brilliant and to put me in today after a few games – he has faith in me and I want to repay him and the fans who are still behind me.
“It’s been a tough road and I just want to pay everyone back who has been with me all the way.
“The physio Stevie Walker has been fantastic with me and my family and everyone here. Every boss since I’ve been here has been fantastic with me and I just want to pay the club back.”
Rangers will now turn their attention to a Europa League clash against Spartak Moscow on Thursday night and Rossiter is adamant they need to focus on continental business now they’ve cured the domestic travel sickness.
He said: “I don’t think it was on our minds – we’ve had a tough Europa League and we’ve been brilliant in that.
“If we hadn’t been in the Europa League maybe it would have been on our mind but we just need to get back to top of the table now.”
The boss has been brilliant to put me in after a few games. He has faith in me – I want to repay him JORDAN ROSSITER