It was a double blow for Rangers last week when both Tom Lawrence and Kemar Roofe were ruled out the season, it had never looked great for the Welsh international, however, it had looked more promising for a striker who was looking sharper with every appearance.
Writing after a hip operation put him out of action until pre-season as the club looks to get to the bottom of Roofe’s long-standing issues, the 30-year old said:
“This season has been a physical and mental merry-go round but with this successful hip operation I’m hoping it puts an end to it all.
“It’s an operation that I’ve needed for a long time but never found time to fit it in when trying to fight for silverware and success. Playing with pain and a lack of movement can only last for so long.
“Pain is a sign of weakness leaving the body”
The Jamaica international has since posted on his Instagram account with a video showing the first steps on his road to recovery, even if it is just a gentle cycle to get his hip moving again.
We all know the quality that Roofe has as a striker but he has played just 146 minutes this season and less than 1000 minutes in the league last season despite scoring 10 goals in 21 appearances. His goal every two game average – 36 in 78 games – comes at a rate per minute of almost one for every full game he plays – he is the stereotypical “imagine if we could get him fit” example.
With one year left on his contract and a lengthy medical record, I can’t see anyone coming in for him and we will have to get used to having him on the wage bill for another year. Roofe is due a bit of luck and hopefully, this latest operation is one that will see us get the striker that we all know is capable of leading us to a league title, after all, he’s done it before.