Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett has talked up Ross McCrorie despite his struggles south of the border, as quoted by the Portsmouth News.
The 21-year-old midfielder is one of the brightest prospects to have come through the Academy system at Ibrox.
He made an impressive 30 first-team appearances across 2018/19 [Soccerbase], although his involvement declined after the winter break when Steven Davis rejoined the club and Glen Kamara arrived from Dundee.
A 2019/20 loan to Pompey was supposed to offer him playing time while developing his game in the competitive League One.
Yet, from being sent off on debut to being shifted to right-back – things didn’t go to plan early on.
Before heading off for international duty as Scotland U21s skipper last week, he’d been an unused substitute for three consecutive league games.
The boss of his adopted side is still backing him to come good, though.
Portsmouth manager provides McCrorie update
“I am convinced in him and believe in him as a person,” said Jackett, as quoted by the Portsmouth News. “He needs to keep persevering, work hard in training and, most importantly, when he gets his chance he must take it.”
“No-one wants to be out of the side, everyone wants to play, whoever you are.
“I’m not saying you should be happy but I do expect a level of professionalism as well. For almost all our players, they’re one step from it.”
Verdict
It’s clear that Jackett hasn’t given up on this loan move being a success, and given we’re still only in October, there is time for things to improve.
180 minutes across two UEFA Euro U21 qualifiers last week will surely have helped McCrorie prove his readiness for action.
Pompey travel to fellow strugglers AFC Wimbledon on Saturday afternoon and he’ll be hoping his adopted manager backs up his supportive words with a fresh opportunity.
If things don’t improve over the next month or two, though, the Gers could always recall him in January.
If McCrorie isn’t going to play regularly either way, he’s better off bolstering Gerrard’s squad than Jackett’s.
