Rangers coaches have high hopes for Jones
Rangers coaches are convinced Jordan Jones can explode into life next season after a difficult debut campaign, Football Insider understands.
The 25-year-old winger missed nearly four months with a self-inflicted knee injury and then struggled for game time when he returned to fitness.
Ibrox sources have told Football Insider that Steven Gerrard and his staff believe Jones can still make a big impact in the light blue jersey and could be the answer to the problem right-flank position.
They saw encouraging signs in training sessions at Auchenhowie before the lockdown that his direct style and skill in one-on-one situations can consistently open up teams next season.
Jones has been a virtual forgotten man since his encouraging start to Ibrox life that initially saw him as a key man following his arrival from Kilmarnock last summer.
He was mainly used on the left wing before he injured himself on 1 September with a late tackle that landed him a last-minute red card in Rangers’ defeat to Celtic.
Significantly, Gerrard still hasn’t discovered a winning formula on the right flank following the sale of Daniel Candeias, with none of Sheyi Ojo, Brandon Barker, Scott Arfield, Joe Aribo and January loanee Ianis Hagi being entirely convincing in that position.
Jones came close to a return to England in January, with a move back to former club Middlesbrough one option on the table.
The expectation is that the five-times Northern Ireland international will be given an extended chance to prove himself next season.
Jones, who played 119 times for Kilmarnock, has yet to score his 14 matches for Rangers although he has supplied two assists.
In other Rangers news, it can be REVEALED that forward is set to join on 1 July after Ibrox club exploit loophole to beat English clubs to the punch.