Why Rangers must avoid signing Jordan Jones in January
According to Bill Young of Rocksport Radio, Kilmarnock winger Jordan Jones looks set to be on his way to Rangers.
Jordan Jones, 24, is out of contract at Kilmarnock at the end of the season, meaning he could be available for a cut-price deal in January.
This isn’t the first time that the Rangers are linked with the Northern Irishman. The Gers had a bid turned down earlier this summer and Jones stayed put at Rugby Park. However, as the 24-year-old approaches the final six months of his contract, there is a chance for Rangers to get their man either on a bargain fee in January or for absolutely nothing in the summer of 2019.
But do Rangers really need Jordan Jones?
Jones hasn’t had a poor season because Kilmarnock have performed surprisingly well under Steve Clarke. But when it comes to his individual statistics, Jones has played 20 games across all competitions for Killie but is yet to score or even set up a single goal. That’s a shocking stat, given his talent and potential.
No goals and assists are simply not good enough for an attacking player, particularly since he has played 20 times across all competitions. Jones is a tricky winger, blessed with explosive pace and tremendous control on the ball. He is notoriously quick and direct, capable of beating his opponent in a straight footrace. The Northern Irishman is athletic, physical and plays with a certain kind of flair and enjoys giving defenders a run for their money on the left wing.
However, Jones’ big chance to impress against Celtic saw him miserably fail to make anything happen. He struggled to get the better of Mikael Lustig in what was a hugely underwhelming afternoon for the high-flying attacker.
Furthermore, Rangers are not in need of a winger at the moment. Agreed, Steven Gerrard has Jamie Murphy out for the season but he has got enough cover in Daniel Candeias, Glenn Middleton, Eros Grezda and Ryan Kent, who will return to Liverpool at the end of the season. Regardless, signing Jones in January would hamper Middleton’s progress and create an unnecessary imbalance in the squad.
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Given the form he is in right now, it is difficult to see Rangers stumping up the cash to sign him next month. And unless Jones has a rip-roaring second half of the season at Rugby Park, the idea of signing him next summer should be kept on hold.