Northern Ireland manager urges Jones to leave Ibrox

NORTHERN IRELAND boss Ian Baraclough believes Jordan Jones needs to seal a move away from Rangers to help him show his true colours at international level.

The former Kilmarnock winger has not played a minute of football this season and was not even on the bench for Saturday’s win over his old club.

While he appears surplus to requirements at Ibrox, Jones is very much a part of Baraclough’s plans after being included in the squad for next month’s UEFA Nations League games against Romania and Norway.

The former Motherwell manager knows, however, that Jones must be playing on a regular basis at club level to nail down a starting role for Northern Ireland.

‘Jordan is an exciting talent and wants to play football and regular games to give himself the best chance of performing on the international stage’, said Baraclough. ‘But right now, Rangers is a competitive squad and Steven Gerrard has spoken to him and said he can find a new club if that comes up.

‘Hopefully. that can be sorted pretty soon and he can get settled into a new club, new surroundings and then go and perform for us like we think he can. We have real exciting, young players with pace and an eye for goal and Jordan is one of those.

‘He is someone I have spoken to several times. I want to help players be settled at their clubs or to find new clubs and be there for them to pick up a phone and speak to. If we can help them in any shape or form then it is our job to do that.’

Jones is one of several Scottish based players in Baraclough’s selection. Rangers team-mate Steven Davis is primed to equal the record number of Northern Ireland caps held by Pat Jennings on 119 if he plays in both games.

Aberdeen’s Niall McGinn and Matty Kennedy plus Hearts pair Liam Boyce and Michael Smith and Motherwell goalkeeper Trevor Carson can also expect game time next month.