PROVING GROUND
QPR supremo Ferdinand backs Goss to fulfil his potential at Ibrox
And the Queens Park Rangers director of football insists that is why the Ibrox club have not been given an option to buy Goss at the end of the season.
The 22-year-old defensive midfielder was tipped as a potential understudy to Carrick during the five years he spent in the Manchester United youth system.
Goss made a £500,000 switch to QPR in search of first-team football 12 months ago, but managed only LES FERDINAND has backed Rangers newcomer Sean Goss to show during his five-month loan spell at Ibrox why he was once compared to Michael Carrick.
six appearances before dropping out of Ian Holloway’s plans altogether this term. QPR legend Ferdinand insists, however, that the English Championship side don’t want the loan agreed yesterday to act as a precursor to a permanent deal — as recently happened with Rangers leftback Declan John following his arrival from Cardiff. ‘We’re not looking at that at all,’ Ferdinand told Sportsmail. ‘We’re just looking at this being about him going out to gain some experience. We have high hopes for Sean and his potential. This is just part of educating young players. ‘If you look at Michael Carrick’s make-up and Gossy’s make-up, you will see similarities in the way they are built and their ability to pass the ball. ‘I had the good fortune to play with Michael (at West Ham) and he passes the ball equally well with left or right foot. ‘Gossy is predominately leftfooted but it is a bit of a wand and he can find people in spaces that others can’t usually see. We just hope he can go to Rangers and show his true worth. ‘Sean has been unfortunate in the sense that the manager has had to change the system because of how this season has gone for us. The combination of midfield players has worked pretty well and Gossy has been unlucky because of it.’ Ferdinand spoke with Rangers counterpart Mark Allen during negotiations to make Goss — under contract at QPR until 2020 — the first January signing for manager Graeme Murty. ‘To be fair, Rangers had done their homework,’ added Ferdinand. ‘In terms of what they need as a player, they think he fits the bill very well. ‘He’s come from an environment at Manchester United that is about winning all the time. So, he’ll be used to that aspect at Rangers. ‘Okay, he might not be used to playing in front of 50,000 all the time but that is a great part of the process. We think playing in the Scottish Premiership for one of the biggest clubs in European football will be a brilliant experience for him. ‘He’s certainly a player we see with massive potential. This is all part of his learning experience. If you look at a lot of the best players in the world, they’ve been out on loan at times.’ Goss travels with the Rangers squad to America on Saturday for their winter training camp and participation in the Florida Cup. He will be joined by Michael O’Halloran and Andy Halliday, both returning from loan spells. ‘For me, the move was a nobrainer really,’ Goss told Rangers TV. ‘Obviously, I know the size of this club and the fact it has a massive fanbase. ‘I know this is a tough league and there’s a lot expected of Rangers players. ‘But that’s why I’m here. I want to challenge myself at a big club and I can’t wait to get going. ‘It’s been frustrating for me in the last year or so in terms of game time. ‘But I’m hoping to come here, get my name out there and do well for this club. ‘I’m a defensive midfielder who likes to get on the ball off the back four and spread passes around. ‘I also want to have that nasty side to me as well and get stuck in.’ Rangers, who remain in negotiations over a £1millionplus move for Brighton forward Jamie Murphy, are poised to confirm Jimmy Nicholl as Murty’s No 2.