JORDAN Rossiter has recalled how he blossomed as a player working alongside Steven Gerrard before the Liverpool and England great had even moved into coaching - and expressed confidence he will flourish as manager at Rangers.
The appointment of Gerrard at Ibrox earlier this month took British football aback due to his inexperience in the dugout; he has only been in charge of the under-18 side at Anfield for little over a year.
Many Scottish football supporters and pundits are sceptical about whether the 37-year-old will be able to resurrect the fortunes of the Ladbrokes Premiership club next season.
However, Rossiter, who made his comeback from injury in a Ladbrokes Premiership match against Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday and scored his side’s second goal in the astonishing 5-5 draw, believes it is an inspired decision and is looking forward to being reunited with his celebrated countryman.
The former England youth internationalist worked alongside Gerrard at Premier League club Liverpool as a teenager and saw first hand what an inspirational figure he was and the impact his presence has on those around him.
“I have obviously never worked with him as a manager, but as a player when I was up training with him at Melwood he was absolutely superb with me,” he said. “He was first class.
“He is obviously a fellow Scouser and he helped me a lot. I haven’t seen him for about a year now. But I’m sure I’ll learn just as much off him as a manager as I did when he was a player.”
Rossiter made his first appearance for the Rangers first team in nine months at the weekend and acquitted himself well. He even managed to play on after being scythed down by Scott Allan in a challenge the Hibernian midfielder should have been ordered off for.
The 21-year-old has endured a difficult time with injuries since being signed by former manager Mark Warburton two years ago and admitted he is determined to put his problems behind him in the 2018/19 campaign and feature regularly under Gerrard.
Asked if the arrival of Gerrard had given him an extra incentive to get back playing again, he said: “To be honest, no. This is Rangers Football Club and no matter what manager comes in they will bring a good pedigree. I would always try and be on top of my game.
“No matter who was coming in, I’d want to be a big part of it. I want to be a Rangers player. I want to be here. Whoever the manager was, I was going to try and be at the top of my game and get back into the starting XI.”
Rossiter added: “I have had a tough time with injuries, everyone knows my injury record isn’t great. Hopefully, I can put that all behind me now.
“I have come here to play football games and unfortunately my body hasn’t allowed me to do that. But the medical team have been absolutely first class, sorting me right out.
“It’s just about getting back to playing. That’s all I want to do, to be winning football matches and doing my best for the team and the fans.
“Listen, I think I just need to take it step by step. I need to keep doing the right things on and off the pitch. I need to keep living my life right, which I feel I have been. I have just been unfortunate with a few niggles and knocks.
“Sometimes this happens in football, you know. I’m sure I’ll get back. The few years I have missed here, I am sure I will get back at the end of my career.”
Gerrard, who starts at Rangers on June 1, will be the fifth manager that Rossiter has had in the two years he has been in Scotland. He was signed by Mark Warburton and has since worked under Pedro Caixinha, Graeme Murty and Jimmy Nicholl.
The midfielder believes having an extended run with will enable them to pull close to their city rivals Celtic and challenge for silverware again.
“I think every club need stability,” he said. “In the longer run that is only going to help us. The players really need to get on board, like we have done with all the managers. It is a good group of lads. I can’t really put my finger on where it has gone wrong, but hopefully the lads will go into pre-season flying.”
Rossiter admitted he was disappointed the end of the season had arrived just when he had forced his way back into the first team. “There will be personalised programmes to do over the summer,” he said. “I haven’t played as much as the other lads so I need to keep the momentum going.”
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