The 26-year-old Rangers defender has endured a testing season but Rowett is a man who appreciates his qualities.
Gary Rowett’s style of football may not be the most expansive, it may not elicit a heart-felt novel by a purist hipster 30 years down the line, but he gets results. Fans of Birmingham City, on the verge of the play-offs before his baffling sacking and plummeting down the table immediately after, will surely agree on the effectiveness of his organised, combative style.
The Daily Record reports that Rowett has been identified as one of the most viable candidates to take over from recently departed Mark Warburton at Rangers and his ability to galvanise a squad lacking in quality and turning them into an efficient, hard-working unit would surely offer a far higher chance of improved results than employing a manager determined to stick rigidly to a style ill-suited to the playing staff. Ahem, Warburton.
Furthermore, the 42-year-old is highly respected for his ability to improve players. He laid the foundations for Burton Albion’s remarkable rise to the Championship while Birmingham were just a point above the drop zone when he took charge.
And Rangers, who have suffered due to the below-par performances of a number of key players, could benefit from the same level of impact. Particularly Rob Kiernan, the central defender who has come under fire from supporters following a number of error-strewn displays.
Yet, the 26-year-old is a player Rowett knows well. The former Wigan Athletic youngster played 12 matches under the manager on loan at Birmingham in 2014/15, displaying for the first time the ability that earned him a move to Ibrox.
Kiernan, renowned for his ball playing ability, was even deployed in midfield on occasion as Rowett got the best out of a man who had struggled to make an impact at Wigan.
If he can have the same effect again on Rangers’ divisive centre-half and others at the club, Rowett would surely be a superb option as new manager – also making one huge step towards improving a worrying defensive record.
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