Glasgow Rangers midfielder Jordan Rossiter has enjoyed a fantastic loan spell away from Ibrox.
When Jordan Rossiter left Rangers to go out on loan in January, it felt as though it was the last throw of the dice for a player whose brief career has already included more setbacks than most players deal with over two decades.
The 22-year-old’s talent has rarely been doubted. Whenever he has played for the Gers, he has often emerged as one of the more impressive performers, and fans have taken to the way that he has never shied away from facing up to the media when results have been poor – he was the player put up when Rangers were knocked out of the Europa League qualifiers by Progres.
But 10 league appearances across three seasons tells you everything you need to know about Rossiter’s Ibrox spell.
However, Rossiter is returning from Bury having enjoyed perhaps the best possible loan spell Gigg Lane could have provided. Not only did he help the Shakers secure promotion out of League Two, but he also made 16 league appearances, including 15 starts. The former Liverpool man marked his last game with a stunning goal.
If Steven Gerrard was at all ready to write Rossiter off, he may want to put the pen down for the time-being. The midfielder – who earns £10,000-a-week (via Daily Mail) – has to be in contention to play an important role for the Gers next season.
And if Gerrard decides that he wants to give Rossiter the chance to prove that he can play regularly for him next term – provided he stays fit – then it is a no-brainer to keep him around.
But with Rangers boasting so much depth in the middle of the park, perhaps sending him back to Bury, either until January or for the entire season, could be worth considering.
With Bury getting promoted, Rossiter would be stepping up a level. And on paper, he is going to find it much easier to play regularly for them than his parent club.
Greg Docherty has shown how influential a loan spell in League One can be, and he looks set to return to Ibrox this summer with a fantastic chance of being back on Gerrard’s radar next term.
Rossiter arguably has the quality to make an impact for the Gers next season, too. But if Gerrard is unsure about putting too much faith in him just yet, then sending him back to Bury for another loan could be a masterstroke that Rangers benefit from for years to come.
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