There’s been a massive change with Rangers’ Kemar Roofe

If one player has been night and day this season compared with last, ok it’s actually a few, but in this piece it’s Kemar Roofe.

Regulars will know we were big fans of the Jamaica international, and his stats last season were over 1 every two matches. 10 goals in 19 league, 18 in 36 overall. Excellent stuff.

This? Kemar Roofe has been two players in one. The player up till Steven Gerrard left, and the player under Gio. If one player has deteriorated badly under this manager, it’s Roofe.

He had 6 in 12 appearances under Gerrard. Just 3 in 9 since Gio took over (including one v Annan), but a real loss of apparent work ethic.

We were huge fan of the former Leeds man’s work graft, his pace, and his nuisance factor, but this seems to have vanished somewhat since Gio came in and it’s no surprise he’s lost his place completely under the new manager.

Now, there was an issue with his son and his health, and it was a scary time; there’s no denying that might have lost him a bit of hunger for the game while the important stuff takes over.

This was back in August, and we have no way of knowing if the issue ever went away or what – none of our business.

But something has definitely changed with him on the pitch, and he’s not the hungry and aggressive player he was.

Indeed, Gio has started him just 3 times, injury admittedly robbing us of the player as well let’s not forget.

It’s clearly transmitted to Gio who rarely starts him now, and he’s a bench option more often than not. Compare that with 9 starts under Gerrard who clearly rated him highly.

Is Roofe having a down time or is his Rangers adventure coming to an end?

Answers on a postcard.