Pedro Caixinha would benefit from handing Jordan Rossiter a chance, but Rangers’ pursuit of Ryan Tunnicliffe threatens that.
Rangers’ interest in Ryan Tunnicliffe has been the subject of much speculation for a number of months. However, with nine summer signings already in the bag, it appears increasingly likely that Pedro Caixinha could reach double figures by landing the one-time Manchester United prospect.
The Daily Mail reports that Rangers are in talks with Tunnicliffe, whose contract at Championship club Fulham expired at the end of last season. The report adds that Preston and Barnsley are also battling to land the 24-year-old on a free while Sheffield United have also expressed an interest.
Ryan Tunnicliffe failed to build on the potential that saw him stand out at Old Trafford
On paper, Tunnicliffe could be a fine addition for a Rangers midfield lacking pragmatism and far too easily carved open by average opposition. He is tenacious, dynamic and strong in the tackle.
However, Rangers may already have a talented young midfielder desperate to kick-start a stalling career. The signing of Jordan Rossiter looked simply inspired when he joined from Liverpool last summer for nothing more than a minimal compensation fee. Yet, thanks to a series of injuries, the 20-year-old featured in only four league games, all coming in the first month of last season.
New Steven Gerrard?
He offered a timely reminder of his potential with an eye-catching outing in Rangers’ 2-0 Europa League defeat to Progres Niederkorn, the only positive of a humiliating night.
And if Rossiter is to build on the potential that once saw him labelled ‘the new Steven Gerrard’ and named Liverpool’s Academy Player of the Year in 2014, he needs a run of games at the heart of Rangers’ engine room.
Rossiter is an immensely talented player – he just needs a run of games
Rossiter was only recently viewed as one of England’s most talented young midfielders and, at just 20, it’s far too early to cast him off as another fallen wonderkid.
Therefore, if Caixinha believes he can stay fit for an extended period, perhaps he should drop his interest in Tunnicliffe and keep his faith in a player four years younger and with vastly more potential.
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