Rangers talent Ross McCrorie shares conversation with Gerrard before Ibrox exit

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Rangers allowed Ross McCrorie to leave Ibrox on loan this summer.

Rangers youngster Ross McCrorie has told The Scottish Sun that Steven Gerrard told him to be ‘selfish’ and look to go out on loan, as he knew he wasn’t happy sitting on the sidelines.

The Gers saw McCrorie really emerge last season, often being trusted as a holding midfielder by Gerrard despite previously being seen as a centre back by Pedro Caixinha.

McCrorie may not be the playmaking type of sitting midfielder, but he’s committed and hard-working, offering great protection for his back four.

Gerrard often trusted McCrorie in the biggest game of all, against Old Firm rivals Celtic, and that’s a major sign of what the Rangers boss thinks of him.

Yet with Steven Davis signed permanently and Joe Aribo brought in on a free, McCrorie was slipping down the pecking order at Ibrox, and Gerrard chose not to leave him on the sidelines.

McCrorie made a loan move to Portsmouth in League One back in July, with the 21-year-old joining Kenny Jackett’s promotion-chasing Pompey side.

The youngster has been featuring regularly for Pompey since that move, even playing at right back, and he has now opened up on his exit from Rangers.

McCrorie admitted that he told Gerrard he wasn’t happy with his playing time, and Gerrard was honest with him by saying that it would be tough to play first-team football at Ibrox this season, so he had to be selfish and go and play elsewhere before returning to Glasgow.

“I’d spoken to the Rangers manager about what I did last year and the season ahead,” said Gerrard. “He knew I wasn’t happy with the amount of appearances I made. He knew I wanted to be playing every week. I told him that. He told me the squad is so big at Rangers it would be tough. I could have stayed in my comfort zone and played a few games but I wanted to go somewhere, play and make a bit of a name for myself.”

“He could’ve been selfish and kept me at Rangers, but he said I had to be selfish. I’m 21 and I need to play games to develop. I don’t want to be sitting about anymore. It was great for the gaffer to put me in for the big games with Rangers. He trusted me,” he added.