Jordan Jones‘s hopes of ever playing for Rangers again are about as good as Steven Gerrard giving me a phone to see if I fancy filling in for Connor Goldson over the next few weeks.
The Northern Ireland winger’s move to Sunderland isn’t one of redemption or with the hopes of proving that he still has what it takes to contribute to a successful Light Blues team, it is so that other teams can assess whether or not he could contribute to theirs.
As far back as January last year Jones was being linked with a move away from Ibrox and a figure of around £1million was being mentioned, however, after his recent indiscretion and contract status, Football Insider claims that half of that sum would be enough to secure his services.
Although it might not be the megabucks fee that could offset not qualifying for Europe, it is the sort of deal that we should see more often, there is nothing wrong with taking a punt on a player in the SPFL, if an exorbitant transfer fee hasn’t been paid in the first place.
He hasn’t justified his wages but he has a couple of outstanding performances in the Europa League that proved to be pivotal, he has contributed, just not enough.
Jones is an experienced international player with European experience, he still has his best years ahead of him too, if he “screws the nut” and shows what he is capable of on a more consistent basis, he could yet fulfil the obvious potential that we only saw flashes of.