Kemar Roofe: This may be real reason for Rangers star ‘surprise’ – McLeish
Alex McLeish has suggested Giovanni van Bronckhorst still wants to see more from Kemar Roofe despite his impressive goal-scoring record at Rangers.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Gers boss admitted his was “surprised” by the 29-year-old’s lack of regular game time under the Dutch boss.
As quoted by Football Scotland on Sunday (6 March), Van Bronckhorst revealed he complimented Roofe on his patience behind closed doors after his match-winning substitute appearance against Aberdeen.
Roofe has only started three times in nine games since the change of manager.
McLeish suggested Van Bronckhorst is still learning where the forward fits into his system.
McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I think more game time is what any player craves.
“I’m a bit surprised that Roofe has not been involved more given the goals that he contributed last year. I guess Gio’s just getting to know a lot of the fellas.
“Giovanni, in recent weeks, has not really overused the substitutes. What every manager wants is full trust in the players. Knowing that they’re going to go out there and do something for you.
“Sometimes when a manager comes, he maybe doesn’t see the same style that he would like to see.
“When you see a player scoring and certainly the manner he scored last season, both in Europe and domestically then what’s not trust in a guy like that?
“I don’t want the headlines to be he doesn’t trust him. It’s just that Gio’s getting to know most of the players now.”
Roofe was left as an unused substitute for Rangers’ 3-0 win over Red Star Belgrade on Thursday (10 March).
He has netted 12 goals in 27 appearances for the Gers this season.
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