Young defender Jordan Houston has released an emotional statement via his Twitter account after it emerged he had left Rangers to join Ayr United.
The 19-year-old right-back had already been out on loan with the Championship club, and his permanent transfer was confirmed on Thursday afternoon.
Houston made his senior Rangers debut in January 2019 with Steven Gerrard bringing him on for the final stages of a Scottish Cup clash away at Cowdenbeath.
It was thought at that time that he may have a big future at Ibrox, but unfortunately, he has fallen down the pecking order this season.
Whilst he’s been away on loan, Nathan Patterson has risen to prominence with strong displays at youth level for both club and country, and he made his own senior debut against Stranraer last week.
With the skipper, James Tavernier, the club’s first-choice right-back and Jon Flanagan and Matt Polster also on hand to provide cover, it was clearly decided it would be best for the youngster to move on.
However practical that call may have been, his statement on Twitter showed it was far from an easy decision for him to make.
He asserted that ‘Rangers has been my life since day one and always will be’, before thanking the staff and wishing all the club well for the future.
It’s powerful stuff from Houston, and he deserves credit for his brave decision to cut the cord with the Gers in order to forge a career for himself in the SPFL.
Alongside Rangers loanee Stephen Kelly, he’s been a regular at Ayr this season, racking up 17 appearances to date.
He’s penned a two-year deal at Somerset Park, but crucially, his contract includes clauses inserted by Rangers [Rangers.co.uk].
Therefore, if he impresses in the coming seasons, it’s quite possible that he could end up back at Ibrox one day.
