Jordan Rosster’s game-time looked like improving last month, but at the worst possible moment, he’s back with the reserves.
It used to be the case that seeing Rossiter taking part in reserve matches was a good thing. Such was the extent of the injury problems that have plagued him for two-and-a-half years, it looked like he had no chance of appearing for the club agan.
Now, however, it’s not the place any Rangers midfielder wants to be.
With Ovie Ejaria departing, every single midfielder should be hoping to take his spot. Ejaria was a key first-team player for Steven Gerrard. The Liverpool loan-star was picked on 28 occasions for the Ibrox side before departing.
It looks as though, in the early stages, his departure has opened up a spot for Ross McCrorie. He’s started the last two matches and has put in decent enough if not spectacular shifts.
Lassana Coulibaly and Andy Halliday are also lingering around in the battle for Ejaria’s spot. Therefore, the least any of these players want is a spot on the bench. Anything below that and it’s not good news given the gaping gap that needs filled in the squad.
It’s supposed to be a fresh start for Rossiter
Just last month Gerrard was taking Rossiter into press conferences and talking him up. The Rangers manager stated that the youngster was ready to fight for his place in the squad.
Outside of his start against Dundee, however, we’ve yet to see him make an appearance. Even against the Dee, he came off before the hour-mark in what was an underwhelming display from the former Liverpool youngster.
It’s now just four appearances for the season for Rossiter. Granted, that’s just one less than he managed in the whole of last season. It’s hardly progress, however.
With Ejaria gone, this has to be the time where Rossiter starts sniffing around first-team affairs. He wasn’t in any of the two matchday squads to face Rapid Vienna or Hamilton respectively. There’s no fresh reports of an injury, granted he didn’t make the Europa League squad at the start of the season which explains his omission from that one.
Meanwhile, Ryan Jack, Scott Arfield, McCrorie, and Coulibaly continue to feature. It’s going to be a heck of a fight for Rossiter to outperform two of those and break into Gerrard’s team.
His reserve appearance in the 2-1 defeat to Hearts at the Oriam is as untimely as it could possibly be.
