New Rangers signing Jordan Jones was left out of the Kilmarnock team last season because of a shoulder injury.
That’s according to Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill, whose comments suggest it was nothing to do with the winger’s pre-contract move to Rangers.
Jones’ decision to leave Rugby Park for Ibrox, and the subsequent excitable tweet about it, had Killie fans fuming. O’Neill claims that it was for different reasons the winger didn’t play.
“Steve Clarke deserves a lot of credit for the hard work he did with Jordan at Kilmarnock because his game went to another level when they worked together,” O’Neill told the Evening Times.
“It’s difficult when you are a player and a deal is done on a pre-contract basis probably with a view to the deal being completed in January.
“When that doesn’t happen it’s difficult for everyone. It was difficult for Steve Clarke as well but he handled the situation extremely well. Jordan had a shoulder injury and that’s part of the reason why he didn’t play towards the end of the season.
“Steve protected him and I know Jordan was grateful for that.”
The comments pour cold water on the idea that Clarke left Jones out of the squad because of his decision to move to Ibrox.
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That’s if the fact Jones scored in Killie’s 2-1 win over Rangers at Rugby Park didn’t already.
It’s not all that O’Neill has had to say about Jones, a player the Northern Ireland boss clearly rates.
O’Neill fancies Jones to make a considerable impact at Ibrox.
