When Rangers manager Graeme Murty announced Jordan Rossiter’s presence in the match-day squad to face Motherwell last weekend, reaction was faux shock and pantomime mirth from fans.
The sheer disbelief that the perennially-injured defensive midfielder had suddenly made the squad and would be included for the trip to Fir Park was almost amusing, but nevertheless all fans of a blue persuasion were surely delighted the youngster may finally have put his endemic injury hell behind him to make the squad at long last.
Only, when it came to the team announcement, the response was equally farcical. No Rossiter anywhere to be seen, either in the starting XI (not surprising) or the bench (very surprising).
A few punters joked he got injured off the bus, and we must admit at Ibrox Noise we are perplexed as to where the England youth international was, especially given Murty’s confirmation he, Ross McCrorie and Graham Dorrans would be part of the travelling squad. The latter two both made the bench or XI, but Rossiter was conspicuous by his absence.
There are a number of caveats to point out:
Equally absent from the bench were Eduardo Herrera, Fabio Cardoso and Jason Holt – this was the most dramatically changed bench for some time – more on that later.
Secondly, not every fit senior player makes the squad! The fit players will usually travel, but they do not all make the 18.
Thirdly, Murty elected for three defensive midfielders on the bench as it was – McCrorie, Goss, and the versatile Halliday.
Whether you agree with his selections or not, Rossiter’s absence from the bench, following effectively a two-year injury blight, isn’t that shocking even though he was passed fit.
Rossiter has a lot of competition now – Holt, Halliday, Docherty, Goss, Jack (eventually) et al are a heck of a lot of depth, and the ex-Liverpool man has a lot of work to do to prove he’s fit enough to handle the rigours of match day and a lot of players to prove he should be ahead of.
We like this kid a lot – his infectious personality and grin and big heart make a fit Jordan Rossiter an extremely worthwhile asset. But he has effectively lost two years of his career and has a tonne of making up to do to get back into the first team picture.
He’s a fine player, who still has so much potential, but Rangers have spent more money on his treatment down the years than have received in returns on the pitch.
And time will tell if he has the stomach to dig in and get himself back in contention. We hope he does.
Chances are that he will be punted for nothing and go onto super stardom elsewhere! We have a decent array of talent in midfield areas. Would like to see some competition up front and at centre half.
It is an insult to both Rossiter and Holt that Halliday was in the match day squad ahead of both of them. He is not and never will be a defensive midfield player and indeed is not a SPL quality player. It is decisions like this one and leaving McCrorie on the bench that cause me to doubt that Murty is the right man to take this team forward.
Seriously would you have briught an injury prone player like Rossiter on against a team as physical as Motherwell after a two year lay off!
You know, I fear this guy could be another Daniel Prodan or Andy Webster. We fix them and they go on playing for club and country elsewhere. We waste millions on rehab, other clubs will get the benefit.
I'd keep the lad unless he has to quit the game altogether. He is still an asset we could sell on if we can get him fit.
I'd hate for us to come all this way and let him go, only to go on and play for England and worth millions later.
IN.its time to put this topic regarding rossiter to bed as its been far too long and us bears hoping that he will eventually get match fit and be part of our squad and yes its sad for the boy but we cant keep paying wages and getting nothing in return,its time to let him go just like we did with Niko and move on and would also just like to add that Liverpool let him go far too easy when he was touted to be the next Gerard,so it ain't rocket science as they obviously knew the problems that lay ahead for him and Mcparland done them a big favour?
Watp Helicopter 2005
My memory of Rossiter when he did play was that he had some potential. Not amazing just some. If he ever does get fit I suspect a lot of fans will be a bit underwhelmed!
And you can't just get rid while he is under contract. Niko went early because he agreed to it. And who is going to buy a player with that injury record (apart from us !!!) Only solution is to try to move him on for free and set up a deal for some payment based on appearances just in case he does turn out to be a super fit England player.
This is getting Ridiculous
Its Time to cut this Lad Loose
#InjuryProne
#Bluepound
#Gerrard,DontMakemeLaugh
A waster.
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