Glasgow Rangers have brought Jordan Jones to Ibrox on a free transfer as they look to end their wait to win the Scottish Premiership title.
In comments reported by the Evening Times, Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill has suggested that Rangers may be pleasantly surprised by Jordan Jones as he admitted that he does not have the profile of some of the other players linked with Ibrox moves.
Jones’ long-awaited arrival at Rangers recently took place after he had agreed to join Steven Gerrard’s side during the January transfer window on a pre-contract deal.
The 24-year-old will be competing for a place in the team in a position where the Gers arguably boast the most depth, so it is not going to be easy for the former Kilmarnock man to stand out. But O’Neill – who has handed the wide-man nine caps for his country – suggested that he has every confidence that Jones is going to silence his critics during the coming campaign.
“I could see he is excited about the challenge that lies ahead with Rangers. That’s good,” he said, as reported by the Evening Times.
“When you sign a player from Kilmarnock on a free transfer he maybe doesn’t have the profile of some of the other players you are being linked with. But I think Rangers may be pleasantly surprised in what they have got in Jordan Jones.”
Jones’ statistics from this past campaign are somewhat surprising. He scored four goals in the Scottish Premiership – including a winning goal against Rangers shortly after his move was announced – but failed to contribute a single assist.
He clearly has the talent and natural ability to make a devastating impact at Ibrox, but he will be under some pressure to back that up with decent numbers.
However, O’Neill is clearly optimistic that Rangers fans will see the kind of player that makes the deal to sign him on a free transfer look like an absolute masterstroke.
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