Glasgow Rangers’ incredible run of form continued on Thursday afternoon as Steven Gerrard’s side secured a top seed position in Monday’s Europa League last 32 draw after they beat Lech Poznan in Poland to win Group D.
The Govan-based Glasgow giants have now won four of their past five fixtures in all competitions and they sit at the top of the Scottish Premiership – with 13 points separating them from second-placed Celtic.
But that’s no thanks to George Edmundson and Jordan Jones, who were branded “expendables” by former Rangers striker Steven Naismith after they were given a seven-game ban for breaching regulations.
Jones has been doing himself no favours in recent months regardless after he let Gerrard down with his lightweight display against Ross County back in October.
The 26-year-old started on the right wing in just his second start and third appearance of the season but he once again showed that he isn’t up to the standards that Gerrard demands.
As per SofaScore, Jones picked up the joint-lowest rating of any home player on the pitch, as he failed to register a single shot or assist, was dribbled past once and took just 32 touches of the ball as he struggled to get into the game.
With his time at Ibrox all but over, the Rangers manager may be better served by recalling Josh McPake from Greenock Morton in January instead.
The Rangers loanee faces an uncertain future at Cappielow Park after David Hopkins’ shock resignation earlier this week.
McPake has made a bright start to life in the Championship, having made eight appearances in all competitions with two assists in total for the Ton so far this season, which is as many as Jones has managed since he first arrived at Ibrox from Kilmarnock in 2019.
The former Morton manager reserved special praise for the Scotland U19 international after he made his first-team debut, saying “I thought he was excellent” and adding “the boy’s got a fantastic chance in football”, whilst academy coach Graeme Murty was effusive in his praise for the young winger, as he insisted: “He’s got lots of ability and he’s very elusive.”
Despite his age, the 19-year-old speed demon clearly isn’t a player who goes missing, unlike his older teammate.
Therefore, it’s imperative that Gerrard and Ross Wilson recall McPake in January, otherwise they risk hindering his development, as he has now lost one of his main allies in the dressing room.
AND in other news, Exclusive: Pundit drops major claim on Gerrard’s Rangers future…
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