Rangers midfielder Ross McCrorie came on at right-back for Portsmouth today and made a positive impression despite the south coast club losing 2-1 to Sunderland.
The Rangers loanee was powerless to resist as Kenny Jackett’s side fell to the defeat at the Stadium of Light.
But whilst both Rangers might’ve preferred to see McCrorie in a different position, the player will have been happy to be back on the pitch following suspension.
McCrorie endured a disastrous start to his Pompey career after being red-carded in the opening day 1-0 defeat to Shrewsbury [Portsmouth News].
The Sunderland defeat is Portsmouth’s second in their opening three games.
Their solitary win so far came last week in a 2-0 victory over Tranmere.
The Sunderland result means Pompey are now 15
Will Rangers be happy with Ross McCrorie playing in right-back berth?
Steven Gerrard has routinely used McCrorie as a defensive midfielder and it’s interesting that Jackett used the youngster as a right-back.
The now Rangers boss berated previous regimes for playing McCrorie out of position, saying they could’ve “scarred” the player for tossing him as a centre-back in the 4-0 Scottish Cup semi-final drubbing against Celtic.
McCrorie was sent off in that game.
Traditionally these development loans are about developing players in the positions that their parent club desires.
Given Gerrard’s previous comments, it suggests there’s an arrangement to play the player in midfield.
But his positive performance does show his versatility and it remains unlikely he’ll be used in the position throughout the season.
Whatever the case, Rangers and Steven Gerrard will have one eye on how Portsmouth use one of the club’s most promising assets going forward.
