‘Definitely’ – Michael Stewart makes first-team claim about Rangers outcast
Michael Stewart has claimed Jordan Jones has increased his chances of getting more first-team opportunities at Rangers after a superb display at Motherwell on Sunday.
Jones, 25, started his first Scottish Premiership match for the Light Blues in over a year and managed to get himself on the scoresheet in the 5-1 win at Fir Park.
The former Kilmarnock winger ran Motherwell’s defence ragged at times with stats by WyScout showing that he completed four of the eight dribbles he attempted.
Before last week, Jones hadn’t made a single appearance for Rangers all season before playing in the wins against Willem II and Motherwell.
Ex-Hibs and Hearts man Stewart now believes he should expect more regular game-time after such a strong display versus the Steelmen.
“He brings something a little bit different,” said Stewart on BBC Sportscene. “He can comfortably play on the inside and outside, which causes problems for some teams.
“I think he’s definitely got to be within a shout [of playing more regularly] after that performance.”
Jones hasn’t had too many chances to impress since joining Rangers from Kilmarnock last year so he really had to take that opportunity in Lanarkshire on Sunday.
Last season, the Northern Ireland forward played just 15 times in all competitions due to a serious knee injury and the simple fact that he wasn’t high in Steven Gerrard’s pecking order.
It will be interesting to see Gerrard’s plans with him this week with a huge Europa League play-off showdown against Galatasaray on Thursday before Ross County visit Govan in the Scottish Premiership.
It might be risky to start him against Galatasaray but there’s a good chance he will keep his starting spot to play Ross County.
In other Rangers news, fans have blasted this BBC pundit for his “desperate” claim.