Northern Ireland international Jordan Jones has made a bright start to life at Scottish Premiership outfit Rangers since signing from Kilmarnock.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has backed Jordan Jones’ decision to leave Kilmarnock for Rangers, telling the Daily Record that the explosive winger can become a ‘top, top player’ at Ibrox.
A boyhood Rangers fan, Jones’ childhood dream came true in January when the Glasgow giants signed him on a pre-contract agreement months before his Killie deal expired.
Plenty expressed doubts about whether the former Middlesbrough youngster had the talent to make the grade at one of Scotland’s biggest clubs but he has certainly silenced the cynics with some stand-out performances in his early Rangers tenure, particularly in that 4-2 Europa League win away at Midtjylland.
And O’Neill, who has handed Jones nine caps for the Northern Ireland so far, believes that the sky is the limit for the Redcar-born 24-year-old.
“It’s no surprise to me that Jordan has had a positive impact since he joined Rangers because he is a terrific player,” O’Neill said.
“There are areas he needs to improve on that we have talked to him consistently about but he has the capabilities to get fans on the edge of their seats.
“The move to Ibrox is one that will give Jordan the opportunity to kick on. I think he can develop into a top, top player at Rangers.
“He is confident and positive and likes the big stage. The bigger the game the more Jordan seems to revel in it.”
Perhaps it is the competition at Ibrox that is driving Jones on. Jake Hastie, Brandon Barker and Sheyi Ojo are all fighting for a place in Steven Gerrard’s starting XI and, in an ideal world, Ryan Kent will still return on loan from Liverpool before the transfer window shuts.
With speed, skill and a thunderbolt of a shot in his locker, an old-school wideman like Jones should thrive in Gerrard’s free-flowing, high-octane style.
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