Ex-Rangers full-back, Alan Hutton has backed Jordan Jones to learn from the “horror tackle” that has cost him three months on the sidelines and heed the warning from manager Steven Gerrard.
Jones was sent-off and injured in the 96th minute of the first Old Firm game of the season in a needless tackle with a moment of madness that angered his manager.
So what did Hutton say?
The former Ger was asked by Football Insider if Jones will be keen to make amends and make up for lost time given the cause of his absence:
“We all know his ability, used to give Rangers a torrid time with Kilmarnock. A daft tackle against Celtic put him out for a long time”.
“I’m pretty sure he’ll have learned from that, Gerrard probably gave him a talking to so hopefully he’s had his head down through his injury and when he’s back fit hopefully he can be the man”.
“When he played against Rangers he gave them a lot of trouble from the left. Kent’s there at the moment so that’s not an option but that’s (the right-wing role) probably the position that’s up for grabs”.
So is Hutton correct?
If, and it’s a big if, Jones gets a chance he will want to give the manager a headache in terms of selection for a starting slot in his team.
He has missed a period of games where, had he been fit, he could really have cemented his place. Scott Arfield has has a dip in form, so has Sheyi Ojo, whereas Greg Stewart has barely seen any minutes but has made an impact every time he has made an appearance.
Jones has yet to score for the Light Blues but has shown flashes of quality in the away leg against Midtjylland and at home against Legia Warsaw when he came off the bench in particular.
Will Jordan Jones make an impact on his return to fitness?
Yes
No
Hutton is right, Gerrard will have let Jones know, in no uncertain terms, that what he did was unacceptable and will want him to make a positive impression by scoring and creating goals when he eventually makes his return to action, that is how you earn the love of the fans.