THAT Tweet was purely down to a moment of excitement. It’s up to me to win fans back over SAYS JORDAN JONES
JORDAN JONES insists he will always owe Kilmarnock for providing the platform that saved his career. It is a debt he hopes to repay in silverware before he takes up residence at Rangers. Agreeing a four-year pre-contract deal with the Ibrox outfit earlier this month was never likely to endear the winger to fans of his current club.
It was, however, his celebratory reaction on Twitter to ‘a dream come true’ that sparked a backlash.
Some Rugby Park fans demanded he exit immediately, rather than the summer, with Killie Trust director Barry Richmond savaging Jones as ‘out of order’.
Others expressed their anger with scornful messages on social media.
Speaking at Rugby Park yesterday, Jones made it clear that his own Tweet had been ill-advised. But he asked for understanding over the delight at his career progression.
Released by Middlesbrough in 2016, the Redcar-born attacker admitted fearing his chance in senior football might slip away. But then Lee Clark brought him to Ayrshire, with Jones flourishing to the full under the subsequent guidance of Steve Clarke.
And he was adamant he won’t forget what Kilmarnock did for him. Not that the relationship is over just yet. Indeed, Jones would love to be recalled in years to come as someone who helped deliver a major trophy.
Clarke’s men, currently a point off the top of the table, begin their best chance towards fulfilling that aim with a Scottish Cup fourthround tie against Forfar tomorrow.
‘I would love to win the Scottish Cup or league — or both! — before I go,’ said Jones with a grin. ‘It would be perfect if I could leave with a trophy and that’s the aim.
‘There’s no reason we can’t go on a good cup run with our form and the manager we’ve got.
‘Kilmarnock will always have a place in my heart and, if it wasn’t for them, then my life could be a lot different. I might not be playing football if it wasn’t for them. They gave me the chance when I was ringing about for trials and Lee Clark kept me in the game, so I need to give him credit as well.
‘I try not to think too much about where I might have been and focus where I am now.
‘But I was told three years ago this month that I didn’t have a future in the game.
‘I’m proud of where I am now after turning it around and maybe that’s why I got excited and hopefully people understand that.
‘I wasn’t surprised by the fans’ reaction because it’s part and parcel of football. Some of it is a bit over the top, the threats and things, but that’s social media.
‘I was a bit-over excited (when sending the Rangers tweet) but to go from being told I had no future in football three years ago to this was a proud day.
‘Any of the fans I’ve met in the street have all said thanks for everything I’ve done for the club — I’m not sure if they’re the same ones shouting all the stuff on the internet! Hopefully I can change the boos in the crowd to cheers on Saturday afternoon.’
Clarke has already offered strong support by claiming he will regard any booing as being directed towards him for picking the player. Jones appreciates that — and much else that has happened since he arrived in Scotland to pick up the pieces of his Middlesbrough exit.
‘A lot of players get released and it’s extra hard when it’s your local club, but it’s down to you what you want to do with your life and career and I’ve turned it around,’ added Jones.
‘If you look at a lot of the things I went through when I was younger, I should be able to cope with the next six months and hopefully my performances will change the way fans think about me.
‘Dave Parnaby, the academy manager, was the one who told me I didn’t have a future at Middlesbrough but we’re still in touch and really good friends. Aitor Karanka was the first-team manager at the time so, ultimately, it was his decision.
‘Dave rang me up when I made my Northern Ireland debut and we sat together at a recent Middlesbrough game.
‘He also rang me this month and was ecstatic at me getting my move at the end of the season.’
Jones claims that just knowing he will be joining Steven Gerrard’s squad could actually help his performances in the coming months, as uncertainty about the future has been removed.
‘There was a lot of speculation when Rangers put a bid in last January but it didn’t work out,’ he said.
‘I’m glad to get it sorted early doors and I can focus back on my football here. I didn’t really deal with the speculation in previous transfer windows.
‘But I felt I performed well in December, so I used my experience to help me. It’s good to know I’ve got that at the end of the season but it’s at the back of my mind and I want to focus on my football.
‘The manager here is top class and you don’t need me to tell you how good he is. I knew nothing would change between me and him or me and my team-mates.
‘If the fans are going to boo then it’s out of my control. I came here two-and-a-half years ago and the team stayed up after a relegation play-off.
‘Now we’re a point off top spot and I’ve played over 100 games for the club so, if they don’t respect that, then that’s their choice.
‘I’ve always thanked the club for everything they’ve done for me. They gave me the chance and I’ve taken it. They’ve been brilliant for me, especially the manger.
‘Everyone has stepped their game up since his arrival.’